Threat of racial and economic inequality increases preference for algorithm decision-making

Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms hold promise to reduce inequalities across race and socioeconomic status. One of the most important domains racial economic is medical outcomes; Black low-income people are more likely die from many diseases. Algorithms can help these because they less than human doctors make biased decisions. Unfortunately, generally averse making moral decisions—including in medicine—undermining adoption AI healthcare. Here we use COVID-19 pandemic examine whether threat inequality increases preference for algorithm decision-making. Four studies (N = 2819) conducted United States Singapore show that emphasizing outcomes decision-making triage These suggest one way increase acceptance healthcare emphasize its negative associated with • People Threat The stronger members disadvantaged group.