Peeking Behind the Curtain of Algorithms – Been Kim

How can we better understand what’s going on inside the “black box” of machine learning algorithms? In episode 53, Been Kim from Google Brain talks with us about her research into creating algorithms that can explain why they make the recommendations they do via concepts that are relatable by their users.

Internet addiction

Meta-analysis suggests that both males and females are more or less as likely to be internet addicted, especially in developed countries.

Immigrants in the classroom

Having more immigrant children in the classroom found to predict increased academic achievement for all children.

Why Do We Point?

Pointing appears to originate not in use of finger like an arrow drawing attention to an object but rather as an attempt to touch an object.

Racist police officer stereotype

Police officers concerned with appearing as racist later report lower confidence in their moral authority, eventually leading them to  support for coercive policing.

Win or lose

Winners found to be more likely than losers to credit their success to skill rather than luck, even when the odds are blatantly rigged in their favor, and little skill is involved.

The casino advantage

Gamblers found unable to differentiate "loose" slot machines from "tight" ones, so casinos could maximize revenues without diminishing play in sub-par machines.

Multitasking graphene device

Graphene device developed that switches from a superconducting material that conducts electricity without losing any energy, to an insulator that resists the flow of electric current, and back again - all with a simple flip of a switch.