As I always like to say when teaching courses on the topic, “algorithms” is a very fancy way of saying a step-by-step decision process. In a world of Chat GPT and social media engagement, “algorithms” has become a word somewhat mystically associated with what a computer is capable of. But humans- computer or no computer- have been using algorithms for centuries. The path you decide to take on your way to the grocery store is an algorithm. That recipe you made for dinner last night is an algorithm. Heck, even the way you tie your shoe laces is an algorithm! While computer scientists like myself take these decision pathways and turn them into code, algorithms have always been uniquely human. And they connect our technical lives back to the real-world around us more so than you might think.

The area of Computer Science I study for my PhD (Narrative AI) looks to break down stories into step-by-step algorithms, using the science of storytelling (referred to as Narratology by scholars) to computationally model tales…or adventures, if you will. Stories have patterns, formula, and repetition- some of the most necessary core components for modeling something mathematically. But we don’t just do this to make sure computers can read and understand us (or vice versa). We do it to understand stories and ourselves too, from a numerical standpoint.

My work in Narrative AI is to create better computer-generated severe weather alerts in times of emergency- because the more we can tell danger as a story, the more people we can reach in time for them to take protective actions for those they love. But there are so many other incredible examples of algorithms in the storytelling world that I’ve encountered throughout my career. Under this menu, you’ll find other exciting topics, discussions, and posts about algorithms and how they can help unlock secrets about the human need to tell and share stories.

If you want to submit your own story about algorithms helping us learn more about narrative, write to me on my contact page!