Finding humanity in the algorithm

When people hold a world information in their electronics, can they find community within them? Eddie Alexander Gomez Schieber explores this question by looking at the power of communities created in the algorithmic world and the positive impact it can have.  

Gomez, a Ph.D. student working with Ari Schlesinger, assistant professor in the School of Computing, in human-centered computing. He is a member of Schlesinger’s Socially Responsible Tech Lab, a new lab at UGA focused on how computer science can be used for the social good and in humanity’s favor. "Human-centered computing means putting the emphasis on the purpose and impact of the computing systems that we design – who are they for, what they are meant to do, and how can they better serve humans needs," Gomez said. "We as people are making the systems, and they are created for us. We should take into consideration how technology affects us.”  

Growing up in Guatemala, he used the internet to explore the world and unique communities. He gravitated to YouTube to learn about engineering and robotics because the resources weren’t available in the real world. “It almost felt like I had a life online that was separate from my real life,” he said. During college Gomez went down what he refers to as the rabbit hole of public transportation advocacy. Here he found new friends and learned just how impactful the virtual world could be in his life. His experiences sparked the question, “if this is such a big deal to me, how much more useful or impactful could this be for people who are struggling with identity change or mental health.” Inspired and driven by this question he has set about to learn more about online communities.   

His research explores how computer algorithms, coding, and user interfaces can help people find support communities online. Gomez provides an example of how algorithms pushing positive or negative comments can affect the way people interact with each other online: “Algorithms design or influence what comments blow up, and that in turn influences human behavior.” Differences in user interface also shape human interaction. For example, different platforms make it easier for people to reply and interact with others. 

Currently, Gomez is interviewing content creators who have gone through identity changes and exploring how content about their identity change can help support others. He is also learning how these content creators foster welcoming communities for their viewers. He is looking at how computer algorithms help people find these online communities and how they can foster or suppress their continued existence 

During his undergraduate study, Gomez focused on machine learning but always had a strong interest in sociology. It wasn’t until he arrived at UGA for his master’s degree that he discovered he could combine his passion for computer science and sociology. Invigorated by the research possibilities, he chose to pursue a Ph.D. in Computer Science with Schlesinger to focus on human-centered computing. “I don’t care how long the Ph.D. takes I’m excited with the research that I do, and I am really grateful to be here,” he said. 

In the Socially Responsible Tech Lab students are working with Schlesinger on a variety of topics focused on humans in computing. Computer scientists must learn to properly “operationalize the concept of responsibility when writing code” Schlesinger said. “Despite decades of research on how to make computing systems more usable and more user-centered, computing technology is frequently not designed with real people in mind.” 

In a time of advancing technology, research like Gomez’s is important for the future of computing because it ensure that humans are not forgotten as technology progresses.  

Image: Eddie Alexander Gomez Schieber