2018/12/30 by Massimo Airoldi, Airoldi, Massimo, Daniele Gambetta +1
Computer Science · #Cellular Automata and Applications
paper · doi:10.13131/1724-451x.labsquarterly.axx.n4.25-45
openalex publication_date 2018/12/30 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/15
From the recommendation of cultural content to the identification of potential criminals, a growing number of activities are ordinarily delegated to algorithms and AI systems. These are narrated as neutral technologies which make complex processes more efficient and lead to objective results. However, a wide literature argues that algorithms are social products that reflect the particular interests, cultural assumptions and biases of individuals and organizations. The present contribution aims to deconstruct in a Foucaultian way the algorithmic neutrality myth, illustrating its genesis, discursive facets and weaknesses, also drawing from a series of empirical cases. In the conclusion, we propose a counternarrative of the algorithm focused on explainability and collective sovereignty.