Auditing Algorithms

Perception

Christian Sandvig explores how public perception of algorithms influences behavior, highlighting a study on folk theories of algorithms. People often act based on their beliefs about algorithmic behavior, such as liking a Facebook post quickly to boost its visibility. This understanding shapes user interactions with platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Sandvig notes, "We know that people act on the basis of what they think the algorithm is doing right" 1. He also discusses the unpredictability of algorithms, emphasizing that even developers may not fully understand their systems due to complexity and personalization 2.

   

Impact

The conversation shifts to the pervasive impact of algorithms on daily life and the evolving public awareness of their influence. Christian Sandvig argues that algorithms are embedded in everyday systems, from smartphones to city infrastructure, affecting us constantly 3. Despite their ubiquity, transparency remains limited, raising concerns about collective understanding rather than individual knowledge. Kyle Polich encourages listeners to "keep thinking skeptically of and with data," underscoring the importance of critical engagement with algorithmic systems 4.