Online technology companies have been experimenting with the "human touch" and are considering scaling back some algorithms, The Wall Street Journal reported Dec. 13.
Decisions made by algorithms and artificial intelligence in technology platforms have raised concerns, both from consumers and society at large. For instance, the Journal reported in September that Instagram's algorithm may exacerbate mental health issues in young people. To combat these issues, some tech companies are reinvesting in human oversight of the platforms.
It was revealed recently that Twitter prioritizes the moderation of content from high-profile users and popular posts and uses human beings to review the content.
Matchmaking site match.com recently announced that paying users will have access to two matches a week hand-picked by a human team who have been trained as dating coaches. Users of this feature were eight times more likely to match, indicating that the human touch works.
DoorDash, a food delivery platform, also announced that it is hiring a team in New York City to make grocery deliveries, opting out of the algorithm that matched contract drivers with gigs. The employees will also be eligible for benefits and be paid an hourly rate, offering more stability than typical gig work.
Balancing human labor with automation may be the best way forward to producing better outcomes for customers and employees alike, the Journal said.