Why Did We Fall Out of Love with Algorithms?

The term algorithm used to stand for modernity and intelligence. Google was founded and built on an algorithm that ranked web pages. But now, thanks to a growing concern about the power of technology companies, internet users have fallen out of love with algorithms. In February, techies at TED were warned about “algorithmic overlords” by Cathy O’Neil, author of the book Weapons of Math Destruction. Academic researchers proved that machine-vision algorithms can pick up stereotyped views of gender and how governments who use algorithms, like in areas such as criminal justice, shroud them in secrecy. David Axelrod, formerly President Obama’s chief strategist, recently spoke about his fears for the future of media and politics, saying, “Everything is pushing us toward algorithm-guided, customized offerings. That worries me.” Facebook also played a huge hand in dragging algorithms through the mud. “The election stuff really got people understanding the implications of the power of algorithmic systems,” he said to Wired. There is now a stronger feeling that algorithms can and should be questioned and held accountable.

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