Algorithmic bias in graph-based recommender systems
Recommender Systems represent a key instrument to convey consumption of contents available on the Web. They enhance the engagement among the users and the online platforms through algorithmic personalization. Injecting non-natural interactions consequently cannot have only beneficial effects. Indeed...
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| Tipo de recurso: | tesis doctoral |
| Estado: | Versión publicada |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2022 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | CBUC, CESCA |
| Repositorio: | TDR. Tesis Doctorales en Red |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:www.tdx.cat:10803/675938 |
| Acceso en línea: | http://hdl.handle.net/10803/675938 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | Recomender systems Sistemas de recomendación Sistemes de recomanació 62 |
| Sumario: | Recommender Systems represent a key instrument to convey consumption of contents available on the Web. They enhance the engagement among the users and the online platforms through algorithmic personalization. Injecting non-natural interactions consequently cannot have only beneficial effects. Indeed, amplifying and exaggerating human behaviors leads to either the spread of extreme point of views (e.g. polarized or controversial opinions) or the discrimination or mistreatment of a specific group of individuals. In this thesis, we pose the attention on the importance of auditing and mitigating the “algorithmic bias” generated by a recommendation system, emphasizing its role on the networked interactions of users and contents. Through empirical evidences we highlight how the social graph, presenting biased network topology, when used as input, can impact the algorithmic recommendations. This analysis allows to add a perspective on the long-term impact of algorithmic suggestions, leading to design a simulation model able to explain the “feedback-loop” generated on social networks. Auditing the algorithmic bias facilitates the design of strategies able to mitigate algorithmic risks in recommendation, such as radicalization and unfairness. The results found in this thesis raise critical observations about the impact of recommendation algorithms, and hints of the need to design systems able to mitigate biases embedded in data and algorithms, considering both short and long-term perspectives. |
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