Probably a byproduct of outdated historical models that were built on the (historically true) assumption that the man handles and creates the household finances.

actual reality is if his wife ran up a $30 million credit bill he’d be pissed as hell and try to fight the credit card company. this is what the algorithm is trying to model, and what likely happens in real world middle class families in the past. The distortions become increasingly transparent and absurd as the wealth increases. Obviously someone like DHH or Woz would not care if his wife racked up a $50k credit card bill and is pissed the algorithm will not provide such a limit. The modeling totally breaks down at super high net worths.

I actually completely agree that the algorithm is sexist. But algorithms provide a sort of perfect lens into real human biases and social structure. Algorithms trained to fit to a historically unjust society will continue to reinforce injustice.

Happy he is bringing up the issue, important to blame the risk modelers but should also be blaming society and legislation itself.