Algorithms Elizabeth Stein and Natalie Amadio What are

Algorithms Elizabeth Stein and Natalie Amadio

What are Algorithms A set of instructions written in computer that informs a machine on what to do with a piece of information Algorithms are provable well defined (and generally well known) solutions to a specific problem set that can be carried out using the same set of instructions each time. https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=6 hf. Ovs 8 p. Y 1 k

Where are they Used Algorithms are used everywhere in planes, trains, cars websites ect. Anything software driven ex the Google Car

How do they affect us? Algorithms are constantly taking our personal information and predicting our actions Ads on Facebook Dating Websites Netflix They are also used to predict our behavior to get a better performance at our jobs Algorithms are also eliminating jobs

How Can Algorithms Fail Algorithms can fail in multiple ways When Algorithms face an unforeseen combination of events/inputs that can make the system fail partially or completely. Ex. Communications failures Sensor Failures Computer or Data Storage Failures Incorrect Input Unforeseen Data Volumes Bugs in the Code

The Flash Crash Kevin Slavin http: //www. ted. com/talks/kevin_slavin_how_algorithms_shape_our_world Bloomberg News http: //www. bloomberg. com/news/articles/2015 -04 -21/futures-traderarrested-for-alleged-role-in-2010 -flash-crash-i 8 rkkccm

Protecting Ourselves Experts believe there should be a separate system to monitor them Ex. NASA

We coexist as nature, man, and algorithm- Kevin Slavin