What exactly is an algorithm? Algorithms explained | BBC Ideas
Video Overview & Insights
What is an algorithm? You may be familiar with the idea in the context of Instagram, YouTube or Facebook, but it can feel like a big, abstract concept. Here’s presenter Jon Stroud with a step-by-step guide to what algorithms actually are, what algorithms do, and how algorithms work.
If you think of any other buzzwords that are used all the time but most people don’t actually know what they mean, let us know 👇
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Want to find out more? Have a watch of this video next... Why algorithms are called algorithms https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRkNaF0QvnI
Made by Jist Studios.
I am the glitch in the algorithm
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And you don't try to change my Facebook algorithm...last reminder
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Life b4 publicly released AI bro had to research for 1 hour and ended up calling someone 😭🙏
#bbcideas #algorithm #explainervideos
More User Perspectives
For an educational video admitting you don't know what it is is not the best approach
@JohnBurienAny algorithms on 2026😅
@magicmusic22Dont really work iam gsy snd all the youtube algorithms show me is gender wars between men snd women that obviously not apart kf dince being gay,
@Corbr_117I thought algorithm is a system in a platform that examine user's activity to present user's prefer contents. I'm really struggling to understand what it is cause all find online is a description what it is still can't understand.
@CancerousGaming-bo9kv4:33
I laughed so freaking hard when I heard her sounding very intelligent and professional only to show scratch on her laptop 😅
How data goes in and goes out from an algorithm
@eliabniyomugabo-z9nI think heery potter likes smarts😂😂
@ElizabethNkhwazi-o9pHow crazy that an algorithm learns from you i think you need to set peoples heads straight before you ever move to that level , if you have a sick society where do you think the algorithm is going to lead you , you can see a world of madness , fix and heal the peoples minds first before you trust in AI and algorithms as methinks it will end in disaster , there are so many people that need healing first , only my opinion , i would say with the world as is very dangerous pushing forward with the algorithm as is and AI very very careful indeed , only my opinion and i'm not and expert. If the algorithm learns from you , just look at some of the strange things that pop up in your feed , wheres some of the odd stuff coming from in those feeds???
@TinMan-i9lHorus to keep our minds at ease because of the amount of skin and time with consumed
@DudieVault-b2rWhat is proud of low in pay check shrouds
@DudieVault-b2rThe frustrations, I see, include, say something is newsworthy and you watch a few videos. You then get bombarded with videos on the same topic and you no longer see theother things you were interestedin.
@kimberlybray9862im the 10k like lmfao im not joking
@bloxie-gFinally! Now I can understand why YouTube keeps recommending me cat videos 😹
@BehindtheAlgorithmOfficialWow
@BashirYusuf-y5gWhat may I ask does this have to do with
Al Gore rhythm?
Did an algorithm do that to his haircut.
@bobsyeruncle4841before ai there was algorithms 😆
@GN-z11CodesWhat the hell?
@martibyrd1278This video breaks down algorithms in such a clear way! 📊 Really helped me see how they shape everything around us. 👏
@ToDoKiDiaryIf you're from @atingi gather here
@omokanyeloveth3462Another open-mouth, wide-eyed or completely out of context thumbnail—because nothing screams “quality content” like mimicking every other desperate channel praying to the Algorithm Gods. If originality were currency, you’d be bankrupt. Yet another addition to the cesspool that is YouTube 😂
@StupidInternetPeopleThanks. Makes you want to build algorithms.
@Pablo-l6z3jYes, we should be very worried about algorithms
@JefferyBeisch-v7t7oNow i understand.
@zoeturner-y2oWho controls the algorithm? Well, someone told me that it's mostly private companies. And they won't let us know since there is money involved.
@Roguek-m3eWhat if there is a way to have an object's shape and create an algorithm for that shape and be able to look out from that shape in a certain spectrum from that position? And be able to harness it in different parts of the Galaxy or universe at times?
@robertwilliams498They really have been putting us through algorithms like we’re test animals yall gross.
@TheA1eggHeadSo is iit safe to say algorithms are ingredients?
@djmil5110Din-Si- GFR = Data inputs- Set instructions- Get fast/efficient results if the programmer didn’t mess us writing code 🤪
@JoshHarper-rh9toYes in every where
@Three3d-v8bAmazing doucheFace thumbnail! Yet another clueless lemming DoucheTuber looking ridiculous because they think making stupid, unnecessary, out of context and unprofessional faces will get people to click 😂 and I might add some people faces in general have no business being in a thumbnail, mop head 😂
@StupidInternetPeopleAlgorithm is not. Common. Sense 😂😂😂😂
@davidwaldner8841Talks about Algorithms, but not once did he mention the man to whom the word "Algorithm" referred to in the first place.
Americans just can't help being hypocrites.
There is an algorithm working in the backend of YouTube that's why I here
@harshrajput3241. Al Kharazmi was a translator, not an inventor.
@DipakBose-ge1hmIs bro talking about ALGORITHM like wil3y the music ????
@Evil_TechHarry Potter if he got expelled from Hogwarts
@mattjoneslovesyou7519The algorithm is the software that runs the hardware. it executes a set of instructions to operate the hardware in a specific way.
@osmanay43016:20 yeah put that algorithm against someone thats actually skilled and lets see how they compare
@MrThemellomanI am still chasing algorithm😂
@kashmirivillagefoods95The name came from Al Gore Rhythm.
@ZENIGMATVHow can we write an algorithm
@YovsiFabriceKeeps your kids away from smart phones and tablets. Anybody with programming skills can feed algorithms into your child’s YouTube channel and other sites. I see a lot of people going depressed or having mixed emotions because of these algorithms.
@IMorgan-jd6rmI don’t exactly understand what did I learned from Algorithms before this video. Thanks to make the concept clearly and easily understand exactly works in computing.
@JennyLam-y4y