Publications

Explainer

Fighting the Power Deficiency: The AI Energy Crisis

Is AI contributing to solving the climate crisis or to making it worse? Either way, the increase in AI applications goes hand in hand with the need for additional data centers, for which energy resources are currently lacking.

Explainer

How and why algorithms discriminate

Automated decision-making systems contain hidden discriminatory prejudices. We’ll explain the causes, possible consequences, and the reasons why existing laws do not provide sufficient protection against algorithmic discrimination.

Training measures

What trade unions need to know about algorithms in the workplace

Companies in Switzerland are increasing their use of algorithmic systems in the workplace. Worker participation is an important factor to make sure that this technological transformation has positive effects on employees. This publication sums up what trade unions need to know about algorithmic systems in the workplace and how they can enable employee participation.

New study: Research on Microsoft Bing Chat

AI Chatbot produces misinformation about elections

Bing Chat, the AI-driven chatbot on Microsoft’s search engine Bing, makes up false scandals about real politicians and invents polling numbers. Microsoft seems unable or unwilling to fix the problem. These findings are based on a joint investigation by AlgorithmWatch and AI Forensics, the final report of which has been published today. We tested if the chatbot would provide factual answers when prompted about the Swiss, Bavarian and Hessian elections that took place in October 2023.

Legal report

How employees can influence the use of algorithms in their workplace – a legal perspective

Algorithmic systems are increasingly being used in workplaces in Switzerland. Under the current legal framework, companies should involve their employees in certain decisions. However, this is often not the case in practice. This report shows which rights employees have as well as which obligations employers have when it comes to employee participation, what gaps can be identified in the legal framework and how these could be closed.

Automated Decision-Making Systems in the Public Sector – An Impact Assessment Tool for Public Authorities

How can we ensure a trustworthy use of automated decision-making systems (ADMS) in the public administration? AlgorithmWatch and AlgorithmWatch Switzerland developed a concrete and practicable impact assessment tool for ADMS in the public sector. This publication provides a framework ready to be implemented for the evaluation of specific ADMS by public authorities at different levels.

Read now: Swiss Edition of the Automating Society Report 2020