Down the Rabbit Hole by Design — with Guillaume Chaslot

When we press play on a YouTube video, we set in motion an
algorithm that taps all available data to find the next video
that keeps us glued to the screen. Because of its
advertising-based business model, YouTube’s top priority is not
to help us learn to play the accordion, tie a bow tie, heal an
injury, or see a new city — it’s to keep us staring at the screen
for as long as possible, regardless of the content. This
episode’s guest, AI expert Guillaume Chaslot, helped write
YouTube’s recommendation engine and explains how those priorities
spin up outrage, conspiracy theories and extremism. After leaving
YouTube, Guillaume’s mission became shedding light on those
hidden patterns on his website, AlgoTransparency.org, which
tracks and publicizes YouTube recommendations for controversial
content channels. Through his work, he encourages YouTube to take
responsibility for the videos it promotes and aims to give
viewers more control.