# The role of algorithms in our lives

###### tags: `Thought Writing`

### Why Transparent algorithms help humanity

Algorithms are not just tools – they are deeply embedded in our democracy. They shape how we vote, how we receive medical treatment, and how we communicate with one another. And because they are so powerful, they need to be transparent.

Transparent algorithms can help show the biases that are encoded in the system. They can also help to show the biases that are encoded in the data, since data sets have a huge influence on how we interpret information.

### Thoughts

Algorithms are everywhere. They determine which stories we see on Facebook, how long we're kept on hold, and whether we can get a mortgage. But the increasing reliance on algorithms to make decisions about our lives can also have serious consequences.

Much of this is positive as algorithms can help generate innovative solutions to problems. But there is also a darker side: algorithms can be used for surveillance, and they can be hijacked for nefarious purposes. We must ensure that algorithms are designed in a transparent way, with accountability for all involved in their development.

Algorithms are the processes and routines that underlie the computation or problem-solving steps of a software program.

Transparent algorithms also help to increase accountability by letting people know when they are being treated unfairly. Transparency in algorithms is an important tool for preventing discrimination.

In addition to this, algorithms are often implemented in the form of software which is publicly available, so the argument goes that if people are able to inspect the code, they should be able to inspect the algorithms themselves. Some people argue that it is not necessary for algorithms to be transparent because they are mathematical models, and as such they are by definition incomprehensible to humans. But there are also many arguments against this view.