Sul mito della neutralità algoritmica

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.