研究多个群体如何博弈影响算法系统,发现彼此干扰可能让效果下降75%。
Algorithmic Collective Action with Two Collectives
- 构建双群体博弈框架,模拟不同目标群体操控算法系统
- 当两群体同时行动时,一方成效最高下降75%
- 群体规模比异质性对结果影响更大,适合关注算法公平性的研究者
随着数据依赖的算法系统在生活各领域日益重要,个体需要联合开展集体行动以维护自身利益并监督算法。群体规模、成员特征和目标差异显著影响集体行动效果。本文首次提出一个用于研究两个或更多策略性集体操纵数据驱动系统的框架。通过语言模型分类器和推荐系统实验,考察不同目标、策略、规模与同质性对集体效能的影响。结果表明,群体间意外互动效应显著:单一集体独立行动时可达成目标(如提升分类准确率或推广特定项目),但当另一集体同时参与时,前者效能最高下降75%。在推荐系统中,完全异质或完全同质的群体均非最优,异质性影响次于集体规模。研究呼吁增强算法模型透明度及个体行为可见性,为集体利用自身数据主张权益提供方法论支持。
原文摘要 · Abstract (English)
Given that data-dependent algorithmic systems have become impactful in more domains of life, the need for individuals to promote their own interests and hold algorithms accountable has grown. To have meaningful influence, individuals must band together to engage in collective action. Groups that engage in such algorithmic collective action are likely to vary in size, membership characteristics, and crucially, objectives. In this work, we introduce a first of a kind framework for studying collective action with two or more collectives that strategically behave to manipulate data-driven systems. With more than one collective acting on a system, unexpected interactions may occur. We use this framework to conduct experiments with language model-based classifiers and recommender systems where two collectives each attempt to achieve their own individual objectives. We examine how differing objectives, strategies, sizes, and homogeneity can impact a collective's efficacy. We find that the unintentional interactions between collectives can be quite significant; a collective acting in isolation may be able to achieve their objective (e.g., improve classification outcomes for themselves or promote a particular item), but when a second collective acts simultaneously, the efficacy of the first group drops by as much as $75\%$. We find that, in the recommender system context, neither fully heterogeneous nor fully homogeneous collectives stand out as most efficacious and that heterogeneity's impact is secondary compared to collective size. Our results signal the need for more transparency in both the underlying algorithmic models and the different behaviors individuals or collectives may take on these systems. This approach also allows collectives to hold algorithmic system developers accountable and provides a framework for people to actively use their own data to promote their own interests.
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