Scientists have different ideas of how to prevent that Traditional computer algorithms tend to show bias in favor of men when they use entrance exam scores to predict a student’s college grades.

When the algorithm makes a mistake, "then who's responsible, and who do we sue?" he asks. "That medical-legal aspect has to be solved first." Lehman sees other challenges.

Illinois wisely stopped using algorithms in child welfare cases, but at least 26 states and Washington, D.C., have considered using them, and at least 11 have deployed them.