AI’s Hidden Hand: How Everyday Life Is Already Ruled by Algorithms

From traffic lights to healthcare, discover the invisible AI shaping your world—and why it matters.

Wake up, check your phone, and scroll through your news feed—without realizing it, you’ve already interacted with dozens of AI systems before breakfast. Amy Webb’s The Big Nine pulls back the curtain on the invisible algorithms guiding modern existence. These systems, built and maintained by a handful of tech giants, make decisions about what you see, buy, and even believe.



Webb highlights how AI is not just about robots or futuristic gadgets. It’s the filtering of job applications, the approval or denial of loans, and the curation of social media feeds. Take, for example, the security robot that inadvertently crashed into a child, or the hiring algorithm that inadvertently filters out candidates with nontraditional backgrounds. These are not isolated incidents—they are part of a pattern Webb calls 'a thousand paper cuts,' where small, unnoticed harms add up to profound societal shifts.

Algorithmic bias is a recurring theme. When teams building AI lack diversity, their systems can reinforce stereotypes, misidentify faces, or perpetuate discrimination. Webb’s examples resonate: facial recognition mislabeling minorities, AI-powered policing targeting certain neighborhoods, and personalized news feeds creating echo chambers. These issues are not just technical glitches—they are reflections of the values and blind spots of those who create the technology.



Webb argues that understanding AI’s hidden hand is the first step toward change. By demanding transparency, advocating for ethical standards, and supporting diverse development teams, individuals can help ensure that AI serves everyone—not just the powerful few. The future, Webb insists, is still open. By shining a light on the invisible forces shaping our lives, we can reclaim agency and build a fairer world.