From Explanation to Recommendation: Ethical Standards for Algorithmic Recourse

TL;DR

This paper advocates viewing algorithmic recourse as a recommendation problem rather than just an explanation, using the capability approach to establish ethical standards and address diversity constraints.

Contribution

It introduces the perspective of recourse as a recommendation problem and applies the capability approach to set ethical standards for algorithmic recourse.

Findings

Recourse should be treated as a recommendation problem.

The capability approach offers a valuable ethical framework.

Diversity constraints can be integrated into recourse strategies.

Abstract

People are increasingly subject to algorithmic decisions, and it is generally agreed that end-users should be provided an explanation or rationale for these decisions. There are different purposes that explanations can have, such as increasing user trust in the system or allowing users to contest the decision. One specific purpose that is gaining more traction is algorithmic recourse. We first propose that recourse should be viewed as a recommendation problem, not an explanation problem. Then, we argue that the capability approach provides plausible and fruitful ethical standards for recourse. We illustrate by considering the case of diversity constraints on algorithmic recourse. Finally, we discuss the significance and implications of adopting the capability approach for algorithmic recourse research.