Open algorithmic systems: lessons on opening the black box from Wikipedia

Abstract

This paper reports from a multi-year ethnographic study of automated software agents in Wikipedia, where bots play key roles in moderation and gatekeeping. Automated software agents are playing increasingly important roles in how networked publics are governed and gatekept, with internet researchers increasingly focusing on the politics of algorithms. Wikipedia’s bots stand in stark contrast to the algorithmic systems that have been delegated moderation or managerial work in other platforms. In most platforms, algorithmic systems are developed in-house, where there are few measures for public accountability or auditing, much less the ability for publics to shape the design or operation of such systems. However, Wikipedia’s model presents a compelling alternative, where members of the editing community heavily participate in the design and development of such algorithmic systems.