Beth Ames

b[at]ames.studio

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Natural Artificial Labs

AI-Kitchen Series — reverse-engineering everyday algorithms

AI-Kitchen Series

Algorithms of Popularity · 2016–2017

Role · Founder, host

Making it easier to understand how algorithms are shaping daily life — and how they could be improved. The AI-Kitchen initiative reverse-engineered popular algorithms from platforms like Tinder and Airbnb, creating plain-language briefings and hosting regular discussion events.

Monthly gatherings in Harvard Square brought together professionals and students from academia and industry around core themes: human values and their relationship to AI, algorithmic writing and critique, and UI design in algorithmic contexts.

The initiative’s success directly inspired ES91R: Human-Centered Algorithm Design, a Harvard SEAS course launched in Fall 2017.

AI-Kitchen event — Ally Skills and the Future of Inclusive Technology WorkAI-Kitchen event — The Algorithms of Human AttractionAI-Kitchen event — The Algorithms of Human CurationAI-Kitchen event — The Algorithms of LogisticsAI-Kitchen event — The Algorithms of Political ParticipationAI-Kitchen event — The DRL and the Future of Sports and GamingAI-Kitchen event — The Future of Personal TransportationAI-Kitchen event — Netflix: The Algorithms of Chill

Fellows: Yaara Yacoby (Harvard College), Keith Scott (Harvard GSD), Jacques van Rhyn (Harvard College). Archived site: web.archive.org/web/2018/ai-kitchen.com.