Critical Algorithm Studies (original) (raw)
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A Political Sociology of Algorithms: Five Theses
STATES, POWER, & SOCIETIES: ASA POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY SECTION NEWSLETTER, 2024
In this short piece, I argue that political sociologists have much more to contribute to the discission on algorithms and power dynamics in society. I am inspired here by sociologists who brought power issues up front when analyzing algorithms (Aneesh 2009; Burrel and Fourcade 2021; Zajko 2022). For example, sociologist Aneesh Aneesh has proposed that global work processes are becoming algocratic (2009). My goal is to contribute to a much-needed discussion and, I argue that political sociologists should not reduce the question of power and algorithms to issues of regulation and governance. I do so through presenting five theses as a provocation. Before proceeding, I would like to start with two clarifying notes. First, by suggesting that we should not limit the question of algorithms and power to discussions of governance and regulation, I do not mean at all that these issues are trivial. On the contrary, we have been ruled by algorithms in many social processes, for example, governments have used predictive analytics to identify taxpayers that are most likely to be noncompliant (Bal 2019). Second, the term regulation is multi-laden in could refer to many things. Sometimes algorithmic governance is used interchangeably with regulations by algorithmic. I am avoiding this confusion, as I am not focus on governance and regulation specifically here. Now to the five theses.
Bridging the gap between critical algorithm studies and the social sciences
Informaatiotutkimus
Since the mid-2000s platforms and platform work have greatly proliferated. Although also research on platforms and platforms has expanded, there seems to be a great gulf between IT- and social research on these issues. In this article, I show, using sociologist Maurizio Lazzarato’s concepts, that the technical infrastructure of the platform, in particular the algorithm, has a direct impact on work and the agency of the platform worker. From this perspective, it is possible to ask critical questions about platforms and platform work from a multidisciplinary viewpoint. Methodologically, an ethnographic approach that sees algorithms as part of culture, with its own institutions, impact on people and intersection with different contexts, could support co-operation between different disciplines. When such an approach is combined with insights from algorithm studies, research is also relevant for existing political questions regarding platform workers’ labour market status and the functio...
This panel will explore algorithmic authority as it manifests and plays out across multiple domains. Algorithmic authority refers to the power of algorithms to manage human action and influence what information is accessible to users. Algorithms increasingly have the ability to affect everyday life, work practices, and economic systems through automated decision-making and interpretation of " big data ". Cases of algorithmic authority include algorithmically curating news and social media feeds, evaluating job performance, matching dates, and hiring and firing employees. This panel will bring together researchers of quantified self, healthcare, digital labor, social media, and the sharing economy to deepen the emerging discourses on the ethics, politics, and economics of algorithmic authority in multiple domains.
Living with the Algorithm - Toward a New Social Contract in the Age of AI
SSRN Electronic Journal, 2019
Nowadays, algorithms are constantly used in different areas of life to improve the quality of services, enhance user experience, and optimize efficiency. Their use is very diverse: from advertising and selecting prospective students in university admissions processes to detecting issues in tax declarations. However, challenges surrounding privacy, security, autonomy, and many other areas go hand-in-hand with opportunities. One particularly clear issue that arises from this widespread use of algorithms is a lack of awareness. This is true of not only the side legislators who struggle to regulate emerging technologies, but also citizens that are uninformed about the ever-increasing infiltration of algorithms in various contexts. Thus, algo-awareness is of critical importance these days. As defined by the European Commission, the term "algo-awareness" refers to the spreading of an evidence-informed understanding of algorithms, with regard to their role in online platforms as well as emerging issues and opportunities surrounding them. i The timing is critical both for European citizens as well as citizens all over the globe. The European Union, which has been forming a strategy for artificial intelligence (AI) since 2018, ii most recently (on February 19 th 2020) published a White Paper on AI titled "A European approach to excellence and trust." iii Indeed, the discussion of algorithms is central to any discussion about AI which has been simply defined as "a collection of technologies that combine data, algorithms, and computing power". iv In a nutshell, the Commission seems to be taking a twofold regulatory and investment-oriented approach to AI "with a twin objective to promote the uptake of AI and of addressing the risks associated with certain uses of this new technology". v The White Paper, which is aimed at listing and evaluating i European Commission's Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, Algo:aware: Raising awareness on algorithms (n.p:n.p, 2018), 120. There is indeed an algo-aware project launched by the European Commission that seeks to solve both of these information gaps. The purpose of the project has been to come up with a variety of policy options, technical solutions and private sector and civil society-driven actions, to inform EU policy-making in order to maximise the effectiveness of future algorithm regulations, as well as building general knowledge of algorithms.
Understanding the Algorithm: Meaning, Socio-Legal Context and Concerns
Legal Issues in the Digital Age, 2021
At present, algorithms are becoming the heart of society by taking control over the decision-making process as societies are increasingly getting digitalised. There is a consistent theme that an unaccountable, black box technology has taken over the stage and is now making decisions for us, with us, and about us. But the contention around public participation in making decisions in science and technology needs to advance to a stage where there is a more direct conversation between the public and those developing the technologies. With the above mentioned conception of moderating emerging technologies’ development, primarily digital technology due to its overreaching effects on humans and what humans interpret it to be. Firstly, the research through a literature survey is aimed to understand the meaning and nuances of the word algorithm. Then the analysis based on case study is focused on the algorithmic questions, such as bias, privacy, design, transparency, and accountability. In a...