Experts Say Colleges Must Help Students Understand Internet Algorithms

专家强调大学必须帮助学生理解互联网算法

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Algorithms affect nearly every part of a person's experience on the internet, notes Margy MacMillan, a leading researcher with Project Information Literacy. She says it relates to how internet companies like Google and Facebook make money.

Search engines like Google are most people's entry to the internet, says MacMillan. If a person wants to find information about something, they usually start with Google's search bar. As soon as they start typing or choosing links, Google's algorithm starts gathering data about every choice users make.

Google uses that data to try to find the websites or information that most directly relate to what the user is looking for, MacMillan says. But companies also pay Google to post advertisements for products that could relate to users' search data. For example, if you search for places to take a vacation, you will likely start to see ads for travel companies, flights or hotels. There are also possible harmful uses of the software programs. 

新闻来源：VOA