When artificial intelligence fails: The tragic case of Lobna Hemid

In a world increasingly reliant on artificial intelligence (AI), the promise of efficiency and progress is accompanied by profound ethical and social challenges. The case of Lobna Hemid, a woman who was murdered by her husband after an AI algorithm mistakenly downplayed the risk she faced, highlights the urgent need to review and improve the technologies we use to protect human lives. This article examines the incident, reflecting on the risks of improper AI usage and the measures governments are taking to prevent similar tragedies.

The Lobna Hemid Case In a small apartment on the outskirts of Madrid on January 11, 2022, a domestic argument escalated violently when Lobna Hemid's husband broke a wooden shoe rack and used one of the broken pieces to beat her. Lobna, who had four children between the ages of 6 and 12, went to the police after the attack, reporting that her husband, Bouthaer el Banaisati, regularly assaulted and insulted her.

Before Lobna left the police station, the officers needed to determine if she was in imminent danger of being attacked again. A police officer answered 35 yes-or-no questions about the situation, feeding an algorithm called VioGén, which generated a risk score. The algorithm classified the risk as low, and the police accepted this assessment, releasing the aggressor the next day. Seven weeks later, he murdered Lobna with multiple stab wounds to the chest and abdomen before committing suicide (Retail Management Success Site) (AI Incident DB) (AI Incident DB).

Reflections on AI Use and Society The tragic case of Lobna Hemid raises critical questions about the reliance on automated systems for such sensitive decisions:

• Privacy and Security: Data collection and algorithm use must be conducted with extreme care to protect privacy and ensure individual safety.
• Transparency and Accountability: It is essential that AI systems operate transparently and that clear accountability mechanisms are in place when failures occur.
• Bias and Discrimination: Algorithms can perpetuate existing biases, making it vital to develop fair and impartial systems.
• Regulation and Governance: We need regulations that ensure AI is used ethically and effectively, with continuous reviews and updates based on new findings and incidents.

The VioGén Algorithm The VioGén algorithm was introduced in Spain to help the police assess and prioritize the risk of future domestic violence. The system produces a risk score for each victim: negligible, low, medium, high, or extreme. A higher score results in police patrols and monitoring the aggressor's movements, while lower scores receive fewer resources, mainly follow-up calls.

While VioGén has helped reduce repeated attacks in domestic violence cases, over-reliance on the algorithm has led to tragic errors. Since 2007, 247 women have been killed by their current or former partners after being assessed by VioGén. A judicial review of 98 of these homicides revealed that 55 of the murdered women were classified as negligible or low risk by the algorithm (Retail Management Success Site) (AI Incident DB).

Challenges in Implementation The implementation of VioGén has revealed several challenges. The quality of information fed into the system is crucial for accurate assessments. Fear, shame, and economic dependency may lead victims to withhold information, compromising the algorithm's effectiveness. Additionally, inadequate police training and time pressure can result in superficial investigations.

Victims' advocacy groups argue that psychologists or trained specialists should lead victim questioning instead of the police. Some suggest that victims be accompanied by a trusted person during the interview process to ensure that all necessary information is provided (AI Incident DB) (The 360 Ai News).

Government Responses To mitigate the risks associated with AI use, governments are adopting various measures:

• Specific Regulations: Countries are implementing laws that address algorithm transparency and accountability. The European Union, for example, has the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) covering critical aspects of data privacy and security.
• Oversight and Monitoring: The creation of specialized AI agencies and committees helps monitor and assess the impact of these technologies, as seen in the United States' efforts with the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence.
• Ethical Research: Governments are funding research that seeks to develop AI ethically, promoting technologies that respect human rights and social justice.
• International Collaboration: Cooperation between countries is essential to create global guidelines and share best practices, ensuring the harmonious and safe development of AI.

The case of Lobna Hemid serves as a powerful reminder of the complexities and risks associated with AI use in our society. It underscores the need for careful governance and an ethical approach to ensure that AI technologies are used in ways that protect and benefit all citizens. As we advance in the development and implementation of AI, it is crucial that governments, businesses, and civil society work together to create a safe and equitable future.

Questions Worth Reflecting On Are we prepared to deal with the ethical challenges that AI imposes on us?

How can we ensure that algorithms are fair and impartial?

Society must reflect on the balance between innovation and protecting human rights. The case of Lobna Hemid should not just be a tragedy to be remembered but a starting point for deeper debate and concrete actions to improve safety and justice in an increasingly automated world.

Until next time,

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