Family-Match adoption algorithm fails to live up to promises

An AI-powered tool introduced to increase the likelihood of orphans and adoptive families being a good match in the USA had little effect in the states where it was used . Developed by former social worker Thea Ramirez, Family-Match provides an algorithmically-generated ' relational fit ' score on the basis of information about a child submitted by foster parents or social workers , and by people looking to adopt. It then presents a list of the most suitable potential parents for every child. However, an AP investigation found that two states had dropped the Family-Match after initial pilots, and that social workers in Florida, Georgia, and Virginia complained that it was not useful, and that it pairs foster kids with unwilling families. The algorithm appeared to pair every child with the same set of parents, an assistant director at Virginia's social services organisation told AP . Florida social worker Connie Going told AP that the algorithm gives false hope to waiting parents by failing to deliver successful matches, and ultimately makes her job harder. 'We’ve put our trust in something that is not 100% useful,' Going said. 'It’s wasted time for social workers and wasted emotional experiences for children.' State officials also noted that Adoption-Share, the non-profit that runs Family-Match, provides little transparency about how its algorithm works. According to AP , Ramirez appeared to have 'overstated the capabilities of the proprietary algorithm to government officials as she has sought to expand its reach'. System 🤖 Family-Match 🔗 Operator: Florida Department of Health; Georgia Department of Public Health; Virginia Department of Health Developer: Adoption-Share Country: USA Sector: Govt - welfare Purpose: Predict adoption effectiveness Technology: Prediction algorithm; Machine learning Issue: Accuracy/reliability; Value/effectiveness; Transparency Investigations, assessments, audits 🧐 AP (2023). Inspired by online dating, AI tool for adoption matchmaking falls short for vulnerable foster kids AP (2023). Does an AI tool help boost adoptions? Key takeaways from an AP Investigation

Date it happened

2023-11-01

Organisation involved

Florida Department of Health; Georgia Department of Public Health; Virginia Department of Health

Product, system or model

Family-Match

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