Algorithm Ethic
Exploring ethical considerations in algorithms through interactive visualization
Experience the Interactive Web ArtTechnical Stack
Project Overview
"Algorithm Ethic" is an interactive web experience that explores the ethical implications of algorithms in our daily lives. Through generative art and data visualization created with Three.js, the project makes abstract algorithmic concepts tangible and visually engaging.
The web experience invites viewers to interact with various algorithmic systems, revealing how small changes in parameters can lead to dramatically different outcomes—mirroring the real-world impact of algorithmic decision-making on individuals and communities.
Interactive visualization of algorithmic bias patterns
Conceptual Framework
This project examines three key ethical dimensions of algorithms:
Transparency
Exploring how the opacity of algorithmic systems affects our ability to understand and critique their decisions. The visualization uses layers of abstraction that can be peeled away through interaction, revealing the underlying logic.
Bias
Demonstrating how algorithms can amplify existing social biases through data selection and weighting. The interactive elements allow users to see how changing input parameters affects the distribution of outcomes across different groups.
Accountability
Questioning who bears responsibility for algorithmic decisions and their consequences. The visualization traces decision paths and highlights points where human judgment intersects with automated processes.
Technical Implementation
The project utilizes 3D models created in Blender that are integrated into the web experience. Rather than using custom shaders, the visualization relies on pre-built 3D assets with materials that dynamically respond to the user's scroll position on the page.
Key technical features include:
- Custom 3D models designed and textured in Blender
- Scroll-based animation that transforms models as users navigate the page
- Dynamic material properties that change based on user interaction
- Responsive design that adapts to different devices and screen sizes
- Optimized 3D asset loading for smooth performance across devices
Interactive Experience
The web experience is divided into three interconnected chapters, each focusing on a different aspect of algorithmic ethics:
- The Black Box: Users navigate through an abstract representation of an algorithmic system, gradually revealing its inner workings through interaction.
- Patterns of Inequality: A data-driven visualization shows how algorithms can reinforce existing social disparities when trained on biased data.
- Human in the Loop: An interactive simulation where users must decide when and how to intervene in automated decision processes.
Demonstration of the interactive experience
Research and Impact
This project emerged from research into how artistic visualization can make complex ethical issues more accessible to non-technical audiences. By translating abstract algorithmic concepts into tangible visual experiences, the project aims to:
- Increase public literacy around algorithmic systems and their societal impacts
- Provide a platform for discussion about ethical technology development
- Demonstrate how art and technology can combine to address complex social issues
The web experience has been featured in digital art exhibitions and used as an educational tool in university courses on technology ethics and digital media.