This Machine Kills Patreon Preview – 450. Sorry Grandma, Computer Says Die
Mar 25, 2026
They unpack a controversial aged-care algorithm that assigns levels of support with no human override. They compare it to past punitive automation and worry about policy creep. They sketch how new tech can strip empathy from social services and turn experts into rubber-stamp roles.
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Finding the Aged Care Horror Story
- The hosts describe discovering an ABC story about a new aged care algorithm that cuts support.
- Edward Ongweso Jr. and Jathan recount the headline: New aged care algorithm under fire as 800 apply for review.
Algorithms Overriding Clinical Judgment
- Governments are deploying automated assessment tools that override human clinical judgment.
- Jathan Sadowski cites an Australian IAT system where assessors cannot override the algorithm, reducing care for older Australians.
RoboDebt Reborn In Aged Care
- The IAT's removal of expert override echoes earlier automated policy harms like RoboDebt.
- Jathan links the IAT to RoboDebt, arguing both systems automate cost-cutting and punish claimants via unchallengeable rules.
