Author Malcolm Gladwell Examines Interface of Technology and Professional Bias

Popular author Malcolm Gladwell (Tipping Point, Outliers, and other books about various aspects of the human condition) posed that question in a keynote address at Convergence 2011, based on his contention that even the most seasoned professionals are prone to not inconsequential errors in their jobs. As a prime example, he pointed to new data showing that professional referees and umpires show bias toward home teams because these decision makers are intimidated by home crowds...without even realizing it. 

As a result, he said, we need "some kind of balanced role for technology, that allows the best of human decision making." He identified three ways technology can improve decision making.

1.Technology can improve transparency. "We a...

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