Towards Algorithmic Fairness in Space-Time: Filling in Black Holes

Cheryl Brooks, Aritra Guha, Subhabrata Majumdar, Divesh Srivastava, Zhengyi Zhou

Keywords: Bias detection, Bias mitigation, Fairness, Machine learning, Spatial equity, Spatio-temporal data

TL;DR: Vision paper on future research directions for algorithmic fairness in spatio-temporal datasets

Abstract:

New technologies and the availability of geospatial data have drawn attention to spatio-temporal biases present in society.
For example: the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted disparities in the availability of broadband service and its role in the digital divide; the environmental justice movement in the United States has raised awareness to health implications for minority populations stemming from historical redlining practices; and studies have found varying quality and coverage in the collection and sharing of open-source geospatial data. Despite the extensive literature on machine learning (ML) fairness, few algorithmic strategies have been proposed to mitigate such biases. In this paper we highlight the unique challenges for quantifying and addressing bias in spatio-temporal data, through the lens of use cases presented in the scientific literature and media. We envision a roadmap of ML strategies that need to be developed or adapted to quantify and overcome these challenges---including transfer learning, active learning, and reinforcement learning techniques. Further, we discuss the potential role of ML in providing guidance to policy makers on issues related to spatial fairness.