Updated: October 2026
Renowned film director (and personal favourite of mine), Martin Scorsese once claimed that streaming services were devaluing cinema by reducing films to little more than content. In particular, he questioned recommendation algorithms, asking: “If further viewing is suggested by algorithms based on what you’ve already seen, and the suggestions are based only on subject matter or genre, then what does that do to the art of cinema?” It’s a question that feels even more relevant today.
How algorithms shape everyday decisions
Algorithms no longer just decide what film we watch next, they shape what news we read, what routes we take, what products we buy and, increasingly, the information we receive from AI-powered tools. While they offer convenience and efficiency in a world overwhelmed by choice, are they also narrowing our horizons? Are they helping us discover new things, or quietly placing us into increasingly smaller boxes? Algorithms have become so embedded in modern life that it’s difficult to imagine functioning without them.
The question isn’t whether they’re structuring our lives. It’s whether we’re comfortable with the level of influence they now have.
We live in a world that values speed. We expect answers instantly, services on demand and information at our fingertips. Faced with endless choices, many of us are happy to outsource decision-making to technology.
Rather than spending hours researching a holiday, comparing products or finding a new restaurant, algorithms serve up recommendations based on our previous behaviour. The process is quicker, easier and often more effective than making those decisions manually. But there is a trade-off.
The benefits and risks of personalised content
Today’s algorithms do far more than recommend the next boxset. Platforms such as TikTok, YouTube and Instagram have become remarkably effective at learning what captures our attention and serving up more of it.
In many ways, that’s a good thing. Algorithms have introduced countless people to books they’d never have read, musicians they’d never have discovered and communities they’d never have joined. Used well, they can broaden our horizons and help us navigate an increasingly noisy world. The challenge comes when personalisation becomes limitation.
Many of us now consume news through social feeds, personalised alerts and recommended content rather than actively seeking out different sources ourselves. As a result, two people living in the same town can have entirely different online experiences, served different perspectives, priorities and interpretations of the world around them.
A shared version of reality is fundamental to any healthy, democratic society. Yet by continually feeding us more of what we already engage with, algorithms can make it harder to encounter ideas, opinions and experiences that challenge our existing views.
AI, algorithms and the future of discovery
The rise of AI has added another dimension to this debate. Increasingly, we’re not just relying on algorithms to recommend information but to summarise it, interpret it and answer questions on our behalf. AI tools can save significant amounts of time and boost productivity, but they also change how we engage with information.
When answers arrive instantly, there’s a risk that we stop exploring alternative viewpoints, questioning assumptions or investigating issues for ourselves. That’s not an argument against AI. The benefits are undeniable. But as these technologies become more integrated into daily life, maintaining curiosity becomes even more important.
The best ideas often emerge when different perspectives collide. Creative breakthroughs, new experiences and meaningful conversations rarely happen when we stay within the boundaries of what we already know. Algorithms are designed to optimise for relevance. Humans tend to grow through curiosity, unpredictability and discovery.
Why stepping outside your feed matters
I’m definitely not suggesting that you go out of your way to make life harder for yourself. Convenience has its place. But perhaps we should occasionally resist the urge to accept every recommendation placed in front of us. Read an article that challenges your viewpoint. Listen to music outside your usual playlists. Choose a restaurant that hasn’t been suggested by an app. Pick up a book recommended by a friend rather than an algorithm. Spend time with ideas that feel unfamiliar.
Algorithms are here to stay, and for good reason. They save us time, reduce complexity and help us navigate an increasingly crowded world. But in an age where technology is becoming exceptionally good at predicting what we’ll like next, curiosity remains one of the most valuable human skills we have. After all, if we’re only ever shown more of what we already know, how do we discover what we’re missing?
