Algorithm
Definition
A set of step-by-step instructions for getting something done. A recipe is an algorithm. So is the process your bank uses to decide whether to approve a loan. In an AI context, the word usually refers to the procedures that let a system learn from data and produce results. The word sounds intimidating. The idea is ordinary.
Why It Matters
You'll hear "the algorithm" blamed for everything from your social feed to your insurance quote. Knowing what one actually is takes some of the mystery out of those conversations.
What does that look like in practice?
The steps your sat-nav follows to pick the fastest route are an algorithm, the same idea behind 'the algorithm' online.
What people actually mean when they say this
When people blame 'the algorithm' for their feed, they mean a set of instructions made a choice from their activity, not that something went wrong.
Last reviewed: June 2026
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