Curated Code- The Work of Algorithms
- Vanessa Shepherd
- Sep 27, 2024
- 2 min read
Image : Vanessa Shepherd & @aestheticdstudio (Canva)
Over the last two years, many of my friends and family have become more concerned with the invasion of artificial intelligence in their lives due to the public’s sudden knowledge of software like OpenAI. OpenAI, is an artificial intelligence software that assists users with writing task or advice. The concern is that one day this technology will make all the decisions for us. Interestingly enough, this is already happening every single day.
Every click, search, and like that we make on the Internet or social media contributes to a larger curation of our time on the web. For example, digital algorithms are embedded into almost every digital application we use today. They are working continuously behind the screens, to make the time we spend online more personalised. Digitized algorithms are problem solvers; that determine and predict our needs.
For instance, let’s go through the best of algorithms and what they are curating for you:
1. Theres no need to search too long. 75% of users never scroll past the first page of Google search results
2. Social media algorithms keep you entertained. Meta’s algorithm (Facebook and Instagram) prioritizes posts that generate high engagement by likes comments and shares.
3. Netflix algorithms recommend videos and even create content based for you
However, even if we get all the information, we believe we need from Google, Facebook, or Netflix in 60 seconds, it’s not without its faults. We run the risk of having information that is biased to our own perspectives and placing us in an echo chamber of limited perspectives and reinforced ideals. Second, not all algorithms are created equal; they have their blind spots, often stemming from human prejudice. Moreover, the content being pushed to us may be influenced by those who have a financial stake in the web-based service. Or the content being pushed can stem from the need for more profit and engagement.
According to Frances Haugen, a former product manager at Facebook’s algorithms often prioritize content that incites strong emotions to boost engagement and user retention; This be very detrimental if the content comes at the cost of exploiting people.
As algorithms are just one of many tools curating our experience on and offline, it is important we have more transparency on where and how they work. As you read this blog, you will come to learn how numerous digital tools are affecting our lives and changing our experiences in significant ways. And I encourage you to continue being vigilant of what your time online is doing to you.
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