Algorithms

This chapter frames algorithms as matters of concern in relevant public and scholarly discussions about the digital media environment, outlining the social issues and concerns around them. It provides basic definitions of the concept and illustrates these definitions using everyday analogue and computational examples. It then proceeds to describe the role of algorithms within the AI-enabled, data-driven systems used by popular digital media platforms to curate, recommend, and moderate content. Finally, the chapter provides a brief outline of regulatory efforts to promote algorithmic transparency, observability, and accountability, and discusses some of the ways researchers are contributing to these efforts