UK: Automated Benefits System Failing People in Need

Government’s Flawed ‘Universal Credit’ Algorithm Pushing People into Poverty

details how a poorly designed algorithm is causing people to go hungry, fall into debt, and experience psychological distress. Human Rights Watch also found that the government is failing to address the socioeconomic inequalities that prevent people from being able to apply for and manage their benefit online.

“The government has put a flawed algorithm in charge of deciding how much money to give people to pay rent and feed their families,” said Amos Toh, senior artificial intelligence and human rights researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The government’s bid to automate the benefits system – no matter the human cost – is pushing people to the brink of poverty.”

https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/09/29/uk-automated-benefits-system-failing-people-need