Algorithms
Coverage of Algorithms in the Nexus archive.
- Myspace eyes comeback as an an 'antidote' to social media fatigue — but it may be a long shot
Myspace is reportedly eyeing a comeback, positioned as an antidote to social media fatigue. This interest reflects nostalgia for a more analog time when algorithms were less dominant in people's lives, according to an analyst who told CNBC.
- 20 ways streaming services decide what to recommend to you
The article explains how streaming services determine content recommendations using factors like watch history, hidden microgenres, thumbnail tests, and algorithmic analysis of user behavior.
- The anti-science movement is a quack with a bigger megaphone
The article contrasts the spread of anti-science claims in 1979, which relied on individual efforts like pamphlets and radio, with today's algorithm-driven amplification of similar claims. It highlights how the methods of dissemination have evolved from localized, manual approaches to large-scale digital mechanisms.
- 25 computer science concepts explained for non-engineers
The article explains 25 foundational computer science concepts, such as algorithms and technical debt, in an accessible way for individuals without coding experience or engineering degrees.
- Why the AI future won’t be decided by algorithms and chatbots
The article argues that the most consequential battle in the AI age may not be over algorithms or chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini, but rather over the underlying machines. It highlights that governments and investors are focusing on AI strategies and funding, yet the critical competition lies in the hardware and infrastructure supporting AI systems.
- How 'algorithm' got its name from a 9th-century Persian mathematician
The article explains that the term 'algorithm' originates from 9th-century Persian mathematician Muhammad ibn Musa al-Kharizmi, who contributed to mathematics by solidifying algorithms, popularizing algebra, and promoting the use of zero.
- How 'algorithm' got its name from a 9th-century Persian mathematician
Muhammad ibn Musa al-Kharizmi, a 9th-century Persian mathematician, contributed to the concept of algorithms, popularized algebra, and advanced the use of zero. The term 'algorithm' is derived from his name.
- How clips ate the internet
The article discusses how social media feeds on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts are now controlled by complex algorithms with conflicting incentives, making content visibility unpredictable and increasingly manipulated by unknown internet users.
- Citing Gandalf, Pope Leo says we must "disarm" AI
Pope Leo XIV released his first encyclical, 'Magnifica Humanitas,' urging the 'disarmament' of AI to prevent its misuse in domination and exclusion. The document critiques autonomous weapons, exploitative data practices, and the monopolization of AI-related assets like patents and algorithms.
- Companies Are Just a Graph of Algorithms
The article discusses how companies can be conceptualized as interconnected graphs of algorithms and systems, emphasizing the role of data flow, automation, and algorithmic decision-making in modern business operations.
- How algorithms wreaked havoc with these workers' schedules and cut their pay
Hourly workers in various industries face unstable schedules and reduced pay as employers use algorithms to cut labor costs and boost productivity. The practice has disrupted workers' livelihoods by prioritizing corporate efficiency over job stability.
- Dynamic pay on platforms such as Uber should be banned, says TUC
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) urges a ban on dynamic pricing in gig economy platforms like Uber, citing unpredictable earnings caused by opaque algorithms. Workers describe their pay as feeling like gambling due to algorithmic uncertainty rather than work effort.
- AI, Intimacy, and the Data You Never Meant to Share
The article explores how AI technologies are increasingly accessing and analyzing personal data, raising concerns about privacy and consent. It highlights the tension between technological advancements and the ethical implications of data collection in intimate contexts.