3.2 Algorithms
From the Specification
Algorithms are defined sequential steps or instructions to solve a specific problem or perform a task.
The effectiveness of an algorithm is often evaluated according to its efficiency.
The use of algorithms poses significant opportunities and dilemmas in digital society.
3.2A Characteristics of an algorithm
From the Specification
Unambiguous, finite, well-defined inputs and outputs, feasible
3.2B Components of an algorithm
From the Specification
Instructions, variables, conditionals, loops
3.2C Ways of representing algorithms
From the Specification
Natural language, flow chart, code, programming languages
3.2D Uses of Algorithms
From the Specification
• Sorting, searching, filtering, prioritizing, classifying, associating, counting
• Programming, software development and implementation
• Machine learning, neural networks and in the creation of other algorithms
3.2E Algorithmic dilemmas
From the Specification
• Algorithmic bias and fairness
• Algorithmic accountability and transparency, black box algorithms
• Erosion and/or loss of human judgment
Potential News Articles
3.2A Characteristics of an algorithm
What is in an algorithm can cause argument - https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/oct/22/the-us-supreme-court-case-that-could-bring-the-tech-giants-to-their-knees
What makes Tik-Tok a success? - https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/oct/23/tiktok-rise-algorithm-popularity
3.2D Uses of Algorithms
Uses of algorithms in Washington DC - but what are they? https://www.wired.com/story/algorithms-quietly-run-the-city-of-dc-and-maybe-your-hometown/
3.2E Algorithmic dilemmas
Bias in machine learning (read first) - https://www.techtarget.com/searchenterpriseai/definition/machine-learning-bias-algorithm-bias-or-AI-bias
General Algorithm bias - https://www.vox.com/recode/2020/2/18/21121286/algorithms-bias-discrimination-facial-recognition-transparency
Amazon recruitment bias - https://www.reuters.com/article/us-amazon-com-jobs-automation-insight-idUSKCN1MK08G
Crash course in AI - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gV0_raKR2UQ
Racial Bias in healthcare - https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-03228-6
More Racial Bias in Healthcare - https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/racial-bias-found-in-a-major-health-care-risk-algorithm/
The centre for humane technology (have you watched the Social Dilemma first?) - https://www.humanetech.com/
The changing rules of film making being driven by Algorithms - https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20230504-ghosted-the-films-too-bad-for-the-cinema
Who, or what, owns a copy of your identity? - https://cybernews.com/news/duolingo-champion-of-tracking/
How teens are dealing with online anxiety - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-66855386