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Fragile Algorithms and Fallible Decision-Makers: Lessons from the Justice System

Author

Listed:
  • Jens Ludwig
  • Sendhil Mullainathan

Abstract

Algorithms (in some form) are already widely used in the criminal justice system. We draw lessons from this experience for what is to come for the rest of society as machine learning diffuses. We find economists and other social scientists have a key role to play in shaping the impact of algorithms, in part through improving the tools used to build them.

Suggested Citation

  • Jens Ludwig & Sendhil Mullainathan, 2021. "Fragile Algorithms and Fallible Decision-Makers: Lessons from the Justice System," NBER Working Papers 29267, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:29267
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    Cited by:

    1. Marie-Pascale Grimon & Christopher Mills, 2025. "Better Together? A Field Experiment on Human-Algorithm Interaction in Child Protection," Papers 2502.08501, arXiv.org, revised Feb 2026.
    2. Douglas Kiarelly Godoy de Araujo, 2023. "gingado: a machine learning library focused on economics and finance," IFC Bulletins chapters, in: Bank for International Settlements (ed.), Data science in central banking: applications and tools, volume 59, Bank for International Settlements.
    3. Runshan Fu & Ginger Zhe Jin & Meng Liu, 2022. "Does Human-algorithm Feedback Loop Lead to Error Propagation? Evidence from Zillow’s Zestimate," NBER Working Papers 29880, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    4. Gregory Weitzner, 2024. "Reputational Algorithm Aversion," Papers 2402.15418, arXiv.org, revised Jul 2024.
    5. Brendan O'Flaherty & Rajiv Sethi & Morgan Williams, 2024. "The nature, detection, and avoidance of harmful discrimination in criminal justice," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(1), pages 289-320, January.
    6. Hyunjin Kim & Edward L. Glaeser & Andrew Hillis & Scott Duke Kominers & Michael Luca, 2024. "Decision authority and the returns to algorithms," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(4), pages 619-648, April.
    7. S. Mills & S. Costa & C. R. Sunstein, 2023. "AI, Behavioural Science, and Consumer Welfare," Journal of Consumer Policy, Springer, vol. 46(3), pages 387-400, September.
    8. Bjørkheim, Julie Brun & Nygård, Odd E., 2024. "Gender Differences in Tax Evasion: Evidence from Norwegian Administrative Data," Discussion Papers 2024/8, Norwegian School of Economics, Department of Business and Management Science.
    9. McConnell, Brendon & Tan, Kegon Teng Kok & Zapryanova, Mariyana, 2024. "How do parole boards respond to large, societal shocks? Evidence from the 9/11 terrorist attacks," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 238(C).
    10. Luca Grilli & Sergio Mariotti & Riccardo Marzano, 2024. "Artificial intelligence and shapeshifting capitalism," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 34(2), pages 303-318, April.
    11. Disa M. Hynsjö & Luca Perdoni, 2024. "Mapping Out Institutional Discrimination: The Economic Effects of Federal “Redlining”," CESifo Working Paper Series 11098, CESifo.
    12. Jens Ludwig & Sendhil Mullainathan & Sophia L. Pink & Ashesh Rambachan, 2025. "Algorithms As a Vehicle to Reflective Equilibrium:‬ Behavioral Economics 2.0," NBER Chapters, in: The Economics of Transformative AI, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C01 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - General - - - Econometrics
    • C54 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Quantitative Policy Modeling
    • C55 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Large Data Sets: Modeling and Analysis
    • D8 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty
    • H0 - Public Economics - - General
    • K0 - Law and Economics - - General

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