I m a g e b y J a s o n Te s t e r G u e r r i l l a F u t u r e s / F l i c k r

Algorithmic Bosses, Robotic Colleagues: Toward human-centered algorithmic workplaces

We already know algorithms can make our lives and our work
more efficient, but how can we go beyond that to create trustworthy,
fair, and enjoyable workplaces in which workers can find
meaning and continuously learn?

By Min Kyung Lee DOI: 10.1145/3013498

Algorithms pervade every aspect of our daily lives, more so today than ever. Algorithms decide what we see online, from Google search results and Amazon ads to Facebook News Feed and Netflix recommendations. But they’re not just online. Algorithms are increasingly taking on the roles of bosses, managers, and coworkers.
Companies use algorithms to find candidates for jobs, evaluate the performance of customer
service agents, and connect patients with physicians. Governments use algorithms to
determine when to patrol certain areas and screen immigration applicants.

Algorithms have actually helped give rise to an entirely new type of workplace and workforce. In emerging digital work platforms, algorithms flexibly and efficiently match customers with service providers; you’ve experienced this type of service if you’ve ever used Uber or TaskRabbit. Robots are slowly but steadily entering the workplace, and working right alongside people.

They deliver goods in hotels, care for
patients and older adults with support
from nurses or caregivers, and assem-
ble machinery alongside employees in
small businesses. Because of these re-
cent changes, along with an industry
push for efficiency, the social impacts
of algorithmic technologies are no lon-
ger negligible.
My goal is to design such algorithms
to better support human values, moti-
vations, and unique capabilities. We
already know algorithms can make
our lives and our work more efficient,
but how can we go beyond that to cre-
ate trustworthy, fair, and enjoyable
workplaces in which workers can find
meaning and continuously learn?

This is an opportune and exciting time to address the aforementioned question. Historically we have seen many first-generation technological design choices leave long legacies, even if those choices were less than optimal. The design principles we use to create “smart on-demand trans-