Autonomy and Algorithms: Tracing the Significance of Content Personalization

The proliferation of algorithmic technologies and artificial intelligence is fueling a public and research debate concerning their impact on human autonomy. When used for disseminating information, algorithms can aid decision making while simultaneously constricting human choice. This research makes a dual contribution to this discussion. First, it clarifies the concept of autonomy by identifying three central conceptual approaches to the notion in terms of freedom of choice, authenticity, and responsiveness to reasons. Second, based on interviews with editors in chief and technologists, it traces how these approaches to autonomy shape different articulations of the significance of algorithmic personalization technologies in relation to audience autonomy in journalistic media. The analysis suggests that personalization technologies can both enhance and impede audience autonomy, depending on the approach to autonomy—at times, even under a single conceptualization. Our discussion of the findings provides a nuanced view of the interaction between different approaches to autonomy, highlighting the complexities of balancing autonomy-related concerns and benefits.