I read the Wired Magazine Article - Up Next: A Better Recommendation System. This article was written in April 2018, but it could not be more relevant to our current times. The article begins with an introduction to recommended systems, using an example of the authors Pinterest experience and how a disinformation project led her to click through to a Pintrest board of anti_Islamic memes. As a result misguided clicking her feed was turned upside down and included a strange mish-mash of videos of right-wing videos and Russian-language craft projects. Another example sited was has Facebook nudges users to toward conspiratorial content.
The author makes the point that recommend systems are everywhere and dangerous to societal cohesion. The question is posed - Can we make recommendation engines more ethical and if so, how?
The article goes on to point out some shortcoming of recommender engines - They are opinionated, they pick one piece of content or information over another in deciding what you see. This often results in extreme, polarizing and sensational information rising to the top. Thus underscoring the need for curatorial algorithms with that can influence what is recommended. Moreover, the author believes that the platforms need to thoughtfully, transparently and deliberately take ownership of this issue. She suggest the platform could publish a list of do not amplify subjects in line with the platforms values. Alternatively, quality indicators derived from various content signals (means of dissemination, authenticity, rouse).
The article ends with the idea of choice architecture, a term for the way that information or products are presented to people in a manner that takes into account individual or societal welfare while preserving consumer choice. The article ends with the realization that to effectively address the problems with recommendation engines will require the platforms, or someone, to prioritize ethics and values over profit.
I enjoyed this article and believe it has raised some very important points. I do not believe, however, in the altruistic nature of Amazon, Google, Facebook and others. The profit motive and the need for ever increasing quarterly earnings are too powerful. Ultimately, I believe the social media / internet / user information industry will have to be regulated or reshaped. I think that the only way. The problem is that the vast majority of our current law makers really donโt have the background or expertise to regulate this industry. The internet and social media bring many great things to society, the regulation would need to carve a path that kept the good things and at least controlled, if not eliminate, the bad. This is no easy task, but one that I believe we must pursue.
Link to article: https://www.wired.com/story/creating-ethical-recommendation-engines/