Eyes see, I think—The curated reality
Investigated how algorithms influence human perception and behaviour. This comprehensive project aimed to provide a multifaceted understanding of the subtle yet profound impact of algorithmic decision-making on our daily lives and societal views.
Date: 2022
Medium: a research paper, an installation, a poster, a website, and a video documenting the process

IN THE WORLD OF ALGORITHMS, IS YOUR PERCEPTION AUTHENTIC?

A study conducted in 2022 by The Media Insight Project demonstrated that 91% of Gen Z and Millennials get their news weekly from social media, with most continuing to rely on these platforms as a primary pathway to news. On average, we receive news from at least four of the most common platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Twitter. What do they all have in common? Algorithm.
Another study suggests that the algorithm cannot comprehend the motive of an issue but the similarity between subjects of that one specific issue (Akter et al. 2021). It analyses what captures our attention and feeds us more of it.
Correlating to the first study, 91% of what we read weekly can be from what AI predicts as our preferences. That leads to the rhetorical question, "is our perception authentic?" Is our thought originally from us? Or is it altered by AI and the people behind it?

Study

91% OF GEN Z AND MILLENNIAL GET THEIR NEWS WEEKLY FROM SOCIAL MEDIA.

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The Media Insight Project

Study

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Akter et al.

Created an artwork based on my research, analysis, and philosophy to challenge the current status quo.
The work starts as a circle on a sketch. It represents many news sources that are woven into each other. There is no root. Colourful and exciting as the news may seem, we don’t often take the time to check its origins. The sketch slowly transforms into the shape of an eyeball, with layers of information we receive. Data runs through as we pass each sheet.
The intention here is not to declare whether the algorithm is good or bad. It has been integrating into every minute of our lives, so halting it is merely impossible at this point. Instead, the work would like to raise awareness of what we should do in this climate. Are you aware of your own (bias) blind spot?