More than a ritual: the recursive dynamic between governance instruments for algorithmization and algorithmic risk

Abstract

This article examines how governance instruments for algorithmic systems are developed and framed, to answer the question of how notions of risk are constructed and institutionalized in governance instruments for the governance of algorithmic systems. Focusing on the Dutch context, we conducted an abductive discourse analysis on media articles from five different newspapers, advisory reports, and parliamentary documents to understand how these governance instruments not only respond to risk but also actively construct and institutionalize specific notions of risk in algorithmic governance. From this analysis, we conclude that governance instruments that emphasize procedural compliance are often chosen over instruments that create more substantial solutions, partly driven by the mediatization of politics and the prioritization of visibility over effectiveness. However, more substantive governance instruments, such as the Fundamental Rights and Algorithms Impact Assessment or educational programs for civil servants, are increasingly being picked up and implemented, suggesting a shift in focus to underlying issues such as discrimination or a lack of accountability.