4D Doorgrond Discriminatie Digitale Differentatie

Have you ever noticed that your car insurance premium changes when you move to a different neighborhood? Insurers calculate this using an algorithm, which can lead to indirect discrimination. This project investigates how such digital differentiation (DD) can be both fair and profitable.

This project designs a method to justify digital differentiation from both fairness and return. For our practice partners it is a challenge to find an answer to this question because it requires an integration of legislation, ethics and technology in current work processes. We also use this method to sharpen such needs from insurers and software makers.

A list of strategies and functionalities from the literature for balancing honesty and return in DD;
A link between these functionalities and strategies and human values such as honesty and return
A prioritization and merging of these so-called user stories that clearly reflect the needs of practice
An artefact (for example a dashboard) that can fulfil (part of) these user stories; usable for practice.

01 October 2024 - 01 October 2025

This project uses a design science approach: we design a method for DD and use this method to sharpen the needs. We do this by means of interviews, a literature study, design and four co-design workshops where the practice partners evaluate the method and indicate their needs.

A first proposal for a step-by-step plan to reflect on when differentiation also constitutes discrimination.