Who Controls the Public Sphere in an Era of Algorithms: Case Studies

By Laura Reed, Robyn Caplan. 2016

On February 26, 2016, Data & Society hosted a one-day workshop that brought together a group of stakeholders whose work address themes of power, control, and values in the shaping of the public sphere as algorithms play an increasingly significant role in political and public life. Workshop participants included scholars from diverse academic fields, as well as technologists and civil society representatives who contributed perspectives on policy and engineering to the discussion. An underlying objective throughout the day’s discussion was to move beyond academic debates towards engaging in translation work across fields and sectors.