Algorithmic Bias as a Core Legal Dilemma in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Conceptual Basis and the Current State of Regulation

This article examines algorithmic bias as a pressing legal challenge, situating the issue within the broader context of artificial intelligence (AI) governance. We employed comparative legal analysis and reviewed pertinent regulatory documents to examine how the fragmented U.S. approaches and the EU...

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Main Authors: Gergely Ferenc Lendvai, Gergely Gosztonyi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Laws
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-471X/14/3/41
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author Gergely Ferenc Lendvai
Gergely Gosztonyi
author_facet Gergely Ferenc Lendvai
Gergely Gosztonyi
author_sort Gergely Ferenc Lendvai
collection DOAJ
description This article examines algorithmic bias as a pressing legal challenge, situating the issue within the broader context of artificial intelligence (AI) governance. We employed comparative legal analysis and reviewed pertinent regulatory documents to examine how the fragmented U.S. approaches and the EU’s user-centric legal frameworks, such as the GDPR, DSA, and AI Act, address the systemic risks posed by biased algorithms. The findings underscore persistent enforcement gaps, particularly concerning opaque black-box algorithmic design, which hampers bias detection and remediation. The paper highlights how current regulatory efforts disproportionately affect marginalized communities and fail to provide effective protection across jurisdictions. It also identifies structural imbalances in legal instruments, particularly in relation to risk classification, transparency, and fairness standards. Notably, emerging regulations often lack the technical and ethical capacity for implementation. We argue that global cooperation is not only necessary but inevitable, as regional solutions alone are insufficient to govern transnational AI systems. Without harmonized international standards, algorithmic bias will continue to reproduce existing inequalities under the guise of objectivity. The article advocates for inclusive, cross-sectoral collaboration among governments, developers, and civil society to ensure the responsible development of AI and uphold fundamental rights.
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spelling doaj-art-e31a0ae61a4244838cecdbf34288d4752025-08-20T03:16:22ZengMDPI AGLaws2075-471X2025-06-011434110.3390/laws14030041Algorithmic Bias as a Core Legal Dilemma in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Conceptual Basis and the Current State of RegulationGergely Ferenc Lendvai0Gergely Gosztonyi1Faculty of Public Governance and International Studies, Ludovika University of Public Service, 1083 Budapest, HungaryDigital Authoritarianism Research Lab (DARL), Faculty of Law, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), 1053 Budapest, HungaryThis article examines algorithmic bias as a pressing legal challenge, situating the issue within the broader context of artificial intelligence (AI) governance. We employed comparative legal analysis and reviewed pertinent regulatory documents to examine how the fragmented U.S. approaches and the EU’s user-centric legal frameworks, such as the GDPR, DSA, and AI Act, address the systemic risks posed by biased algorithms. The findings underscore persistent enforcement gaps, particularly concerning opaque black-box algorithmic design, which hampers bias detection and remediation. The paper highlights how current regulatory efforts disproportionately affect marginalized communities and fail to provide effective protection across jurisdictions. It also identifies structural imbalances in legal instruments, particularly in relation to risk classification, transparency, and fairness standards. Notably, emerging regulations often lack the technical and ethical capacity for implementation. We argue that global cooperation is not only necessary but inevitable, as regional solutions alone are insufficient to govern transnational AI systems. Without harmonized international standards, algorithmic bias will continue to reproduce existing inequalities under the guise of objectivity. The article advocates for inclusive, cross-sectoral collaboration among governments, developers, and civil society to ensure the responsible development of AI and uphold fundamental rights.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-471X/14/3/41algorithmic biasDSAEuropean regulationblack boxalgorithmsAI
spellingShingle Gergely Ferenc Lendvai
Gergely Gosztonyi
Algorithmic Bias as a Core Legal Dilemma in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Conceptual Basis and the Current State of Regulation
Laws
algorithmic bias
DSA
European regulation
black box
algorithms
AI
title Algorithmic Bias as a Core Legal Dilemma in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Conceptual Basis and the Current State of Regulation
title_full Algorithmic Bias as a Core Legal Dilemma in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Conceptual Basis and the Current State of Regulation
title_fullStr Algorithmic Bias as a Core Legal Dilemma in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Conceptual Basis and the Current State of Regulation
title_full_unstemmed Algorithmic Bias as a Core Legal Dilemma in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Conceptual Basis and the Current State of Regulation
title_short Algorithmic Bias as a Core Legal Dilemma in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Conceptual Basis and the Current State of Regulation
title_sort algorithmic bias as a core legal dilemma in the age of artificial intelligence conceptual basis and the current state of regulation
topic algorithmic bias
DSA
European regulation
black box
algorithms
AI
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-471X/14/3/41
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