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Weekly News (September 29, 2025): Algorithmic Injustice, AI’s Environmental Toll, Extinction Warnings, and Pioneering Regulations
This week, we’ve seen critical discussions emerge, from the real-world impact of algorithmic decision-making on vulnerable populations to the stark warnings about AI’s existential risks and its growing environmental footprint. Amidst these challenges, regulatory bodies are beginning to grapple with the monumental task of governing this rapidly evolving field. Let’s check out the key stories that are shaping our understanding of AI’s societal implications.
Kentucky kicked people off food benefits using data that doesn’t tell the whole story
Kentucky’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services is facing scrutiny for its use of automated systems to disqualify individuals from food benefits, commonly known as SNAP. A review of records indicates a significant surge in disqualifications, from fewer than 100 in 2015 to over 1,800 in 2023, based on shopping patterns used to infer the sale of benefits. Legal experts argue that transactional data should serve as a tool to identify potential fraud, not as definitive proof, highlighting a critical flaw in the state’s approach.
