“算法权力”的异议与证成

The Objection and Justification of“Algorithmic Power”

当前算法研究中,“算法权力”这一概念还存在着一些争论。算法是不是一种权力?如果是,算法为什么是一种权力?这既是认识上的问题,也是现实中的问题。学界基于本体论视角和系统视角分别产生了“算法不是权力”和“算法是权力”这两种在形式上对立的观点。理论上,从支配力视角出发可以证成算法权力,支配力是权力的核心要素,那么拥有支配力的算法是权力;实际上,算法具有重要的社会性,它以技术集合的支撑、私人资本的嵌入与公权力的嵌入为基础,生成了算法权力。算法权力生成基础的糅合将产生多种算法权力形式,主要包括算法操纵、算法合格权威以及算法合法权威等算法权力形式。正确认识算法权力及其形式对于全面理解算法、应用把握算法以及治理算法具有重要作用。

In the current algorithm research,there are still some debates on the concept of algorithmic power.Whether algorithm is a kind of power or not and why it is are not only cognitive problems,but also practical ones.From the perspective of ontology and system,scholarship has formed two opposite views:the view that algorithm is not a power and the view that algorithm is a power.Theoretically,from the perspective of dominant power,algorithmic power can be justified and algorithm with dominant power is a power if dominant power is the core element of power;practically,algorithm,importantly characterized by sociality,generates algorithm power based on the support of technology set,the embedding of private capital,and the embedding of public power.The combination of the basis of algorithm power generation will produce a variety of the forms of algorithm power,mainly including algorithm manipulation,qualified algorithmic authority,and legal algorithmic authority.A correct understanding of algorithmic power and its forms plays an important role in correctly recognizing algorithm,applying and grasping algorithm,and governing algorithm.