# Why Algorithms Remain Unjust: Power Structures Surrounding Algorithmic Activity

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2405.18461 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2405.18461/

## Key facts

- No citing papers in the map yet (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 13 of its 50 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 28 May 2024.

## Builds on (most cited first, 13 of 13)

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- [Decolonial AI: Decolonial Theory as Sociotechnical Foresight in Artificial Intelligence](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2007.04068/) (2020)
- [Making AI Less "Thirsty": Uncovering and Addressing the Secret Water Footprint of AI Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2304.03271/) (2023)
- [American == White in Multimodal Language-and-Image AI](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2207.00691/) (2022)
- [The Grey Hoodie Project: Big Tobacco, Big Tech, and the threat on academic integrity](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2009.13676/) (2020)
- [Envisioning Communities: A Participatory Approach Towards AI for Social Good](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2105.01774/) (2021)
- [Algorithmic Auditing and Social Justice: Lessons from the History of Audit Studies](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2109.06974/) (2021)
- [Machine Learning Practices Outside Big Tech: How Resource Constraints Challenge Responsible Development](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2110.02932/) (2021)
- [Write It Like You See It: Detectable Differences in Clinical Notes By Race Lead To Differential Model Recommendations](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2205.03931/) (2022)
- [Algorithmic Fairness and Structural Injustice: Insights from Feminist Political Philosophy](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2206.00945/) (2022)
- [Advancing Community Engaged Approaches to Identifying Structural Drivers of Racial Bias in Health Diagnostic Algorithms](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2305.13485/) (2023)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Algorithms are unavoidable in our social lives, yet often perpetuate social injustices. The popular means of addressing this is through algorithmic reformism: fine-tuning algorithms themselves to be more fair, accountable, and transparent. However, reformism fails to curtail algorithmic injustice because it ignores the power structure surrounding algorithms. Heeding calls from critical algorithm studies, I employ a framework developed by Erik Olin Wright to examine the configuration of power surrounding algorithmic systems in society (Algorithmic Activity). Algorithmic Activity is unjust because it is dominated by economic power. To create socially just Algorithmic Activity, the power configuration must instead empower end users. I explore Wright's symbiotic, interstitial, and raptural transformations in the context of just Algorithmic Activity. My vision for social justice in algorithmic systems requires a continuous (re)evaluation of how power can be transformed in light of current structure, social theories, evolving methodologies, and one's relationship to power itself.