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A discussion with Yasaman Yousefi & Nora Schleich

Algorithms influence what we see online, how we interact socially, and how we perceive activities or political phenomena.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) relies on algorithms, but not all algorithms are the same. Essentially, an algorithm is a set of instructions guiding a computer to solve problems. In AI, some algorithms enable systems to “learn” and evolve new behaviors.

Algorithms are designed to achieve specific goals, complete tasks, or follow methods. For example, social media platforms use algorithms to predict your interests and determine what content you see most often.

Two key factors shape their impact:

1. Human intention defines how an algorithm operates.
2. The data used to train algorithms heavily influences their outcomes.

This raises ethical concerns:

Algorithms can manipulate users by repeatedly promoting certain information, a tactic often seen on social media, in online shopping, or political campaigns. Worse, biases in the data can lead to discriminatory outcomes—amplifying societal inequalities in areas like hiring, loans, or law enforcement.

Many users are unaware of how these systems work or that their design often serves economic or political interests rather than individual well-being.

Addressing the ethics of algorithmic manipulation and discrimination is essential to ensure transparency and fairness in their use. We’d be happy to welcome you to the discussion!

Yasaman Yousefi is a Ph.D candidate in Law, Science and Technology (LAST-JD) since November 2021. Her research is titled The Quest for AI Fairness: Ethical, Legal and Technical Solutions. She takes an interdisciplinary approach to the concept of fairness in automated decisions, from social, ethical, legal, and technical perspectives. In specific, her research poses the question how and up to what degree can an intersection of ethical, legal, and technical solutions guarantee fairness in AI systems deployed in high-risk decision making contexts?

With her project, Yasaman Yousefi won the ISA Doctoral Prize for research in algorithmic discrimination. Learn more…