This Obscure Thing Called Transparency

Alloa, Emmanuel

doi:10.11116/9789461664464

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Despite the extensive discussions on transparency across various domains (Koivisto, 2022), it remains a vaguely defined and multifaceted concept (Larsson & Heintz, 2020). As Alloa (2022) observes, the ubiquity of transparency rhetoric in contemporary discussions spanning media, politics, industry, finance, and technology markedly contrasts with its inherent lack of systemic clarity. Meijer (2014) claims that transparency is an 'ideograph' , a concept that is seemingly universally desirable yet inherently hollow, allowing it to be framed in various ways depending on the context.…”

Section: The Transparency Directions In the Dsamentioning

confidence: 99%

Regulating high-reach AI: On transparency directions in the Digital Services Act

Söderlund,

Engström,

Haresamudram

et al. 2024

Internet Policy Review

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By introducing the concept of high-reach AI, this paper focuses on AI systems whose widespread use may generate significant risks for both individuals and societies. While some of those risks have been recognised under the AI Act, we analyse the rules laid down by the Digital Services Act (DSA) for recommender systems used by dominant social media platforms as a prominent example of high-reach AI. Specifically, we examine transparency provisions aimed at addressing adverse effects of these AI technologies employed by social media very large online platforms (VLOPs). Drawing from AI transparency literature, we analyse DSA transparency measures through the conceptual lens of horizontal and vertical transparency. Our analysis indicates that while the DSA incorporates transparency provisions in both dimensions, the most progressive amendments emerge within the vertical transparency, for instance, by the introduction of the systemic risk assessment mechanism. However, we argue that the true impact of the new transparency provisions extends beyond their mere existence, emphasising the critical role of oversight entities in implementation and application of the DSA. Overall, this study highlights the paramount importance of vertical transparency in providing a comprehensive understanding of the aggregated risks associated with high-reach AI technologies, exemplified by social media recommender systems.

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Section: The Transparency Directions In the Dsamentioning

confidence: 99%