Algorithm Bias and Perceived Fairness: A Comprehensive Scoping Review

Artificial intelligence (AI)-based algorithms are playing an increasingly prominent role in shaping daily life. However, these algorithms can exhibit biases that exacerbate societal injustices. Such biases have a substantial impact on people's perceptions of algorithmic fairness, yet the precise mechanisms and scope of this phenomenon remain relatively understudied. To address this research gap, a comprehensive scoping literature review is conducted, providing an overview of current research in the field. Subsequently, a novel theoretical model is developed that synthesizes key themes, including algorithm bias, algorithm fairness, perceived fairness, individual characteristics, social characteristics, task characteristics, and technology characteristics. The paper contributes proposing a set of propositions that underscore the critical gaps in the existing literature, contribute to a deeper comprehension of the relationships among the identified themes and their constituent elements, and offer a roadmap for future research in the domain.