Software Fairness Debt

TL;DR

This paper introduces the concept of software fairness debt, highlighting how biases accumulate in software systems, affecting societal equity, and emphasizing the need for more responsible software engineering practices.

Contribution

It defines software fairness debt as a new form of debt in software engineering, expanding the understanding of bias and fairness issues in software development.

Findings

Identified primary causes of fairness deficiency in software systems

Highlighted societal impacts of biased software

Proposed the concept of software fairness debt

Abstract

As software systems continue to play a significant role in modern society, ensuring their fairness has become a critical concern in software engineering. Motivated by this scenario, this paper focused on exploring the multifaceted nature of bias in software systems, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of its origins, manifestations, and impacts. Through a scoping study, we identified the primary causes of fairness deficiency in software development and highlighted their adverse effects on individuals and communities, including instances of discrimination and the perpetuation of inequalities. Our investigation culminated in the introduction of the concept of software fairness debt, which complements the notions of technical and social debt, encapsulating the accumulation of biases in software engineering practices while emphasizing the societal ramifications of bias embedded within software systems. Our study contributes to a deeper understanding of fairness in software engineering and paves the way for the development of more equitable and socially responsible software systems.