Algorithmic radicalization

ALL 0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

The phenomenon of algorithmic radicalization is defined as the method by which personalized algorithms on social media platforms steer users towards progressively more extreme content. These algorithms, which are intended to boost user interaction, inadvertently construct echo chambers and filter bubbles, confirming users’ pre-existing beliefs and leading to confirmation bias and group polarization. This process is particularly widespread on platforms such as Facebook^[2], YouTube, and TikTok. It has come under fire for facilitating the spread of misinformation, hate speech, and extremist ideologies, sparking legal discussions. The dissemination of false news and extremist content outpaces the truth due to these algorithms. The issue of algorithmic radicalization has been the subject of extensive research, with scholars expressing concerns about its societal effects and advocating for new regulations to manage advanced artificial intelligence^[1].

Terms definitions

1. ↑ artificial intelligence. The discipline of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a subset of computer science dedicated to developing systems capable of executing tasks usually requiring human intellect, such as reasoning, learning, planning, perception, and language comprehension. Drawing upon diverse fields such as psychology, linguistics, philosophy, and neuroscience, AI is instrumental in the creation of machine learning models and natural language processing systems. It also significantly contributes to the development of virtual assistants and affective computing systems. AI finds applications in numerous sectors like healthcare, industry, government, and education. However, it also brings up ethical and societal issues, thus requiring regulatory policies. With the advent of sophisticated techniques like deep learning and generative AI, the field continues to expand, opening up new avenues in various sectors.

2. ↑ Facebook ( Facebook ) Meta Platforms, previously known as Facebook, is a prominent internet corporation that originated as a social networking site. The brainchild of Mark Zuckerberg in 2004, Meta Platforms swiftly spread from Harvard to other educational institutions, eventually reaching the wider public and becoming a global sensation. Its appealing user interface and diverse features such as Groups, the Developer Platform, and Meta Platforms Dating are well-known. Despite encountering backlash over matters like privacy violations and the proliferation of misinformation, Meta Platforms continues to hold a strong position in the digital sphere. It has made remarkable progress in the realm of technology, including the creation of its distinctive data storage system, the employment of PHP for its platform, and the introduction of the Hack programming language. In the past few years, the company has pivoted its attention towards the metaverse, a virtual reality domain where users can engage with a digitally-created environment.

Algorithmic radicalization (Wikipedia)

Algorithmic radicalization is the concept that recommender algorithms on popular social media sites such as YouTube and Facebook drive users toward progressively more extreme content over time, leading to them developing radicalized extremist political views. Algorithms record user interactions, from likes/dislikes to amount of time spent on posts, to generate endless media aimed to keep users engaged. Through echo chamber channels, the consumer is driven to be more polarized through preferences in media and self-confirmation.

Algorithmic radicalization remains a controversial phenomenon as it is often not in the best interest of social media companies to remove echo chamber channels. Though social media companies have admitted to algorithmic radicalization's existence, it remains unclear how each will manage this growing threat.

« Back to Glossary Index