Technology
Algorithmic Decision-Making and Discretionary Power in Social Services
Quick fact
In many U.S. states, predictive risk models now flag families for child welfare investigations—sometimes without the caseworker being told why a family was selected, shifting the power of judgment from the caseworker to an opaque formula.
Why this is interesting
A caseworker must decide whether to remove a child from a home. An algorithm says yes. But the caseworker has a hunch—a small clue that might change everything. Who should have the final say?