Introduction

Trust once came from face-to-face bonds. Today, algorithms decide credibility—who gets a loan, who we follow, even who we date. Technology is rewriting the foundations of trust.

Algorithms at Work

• Credit scores shaping financial futures.

• Dating apps ranking profiles.

• Social media deciding “credible” news.

• Predictive policing algorithms guiding law enforcement.

Cultural Shifts

• Traditional trust: family, community, religion.

• Modern trust: invisible scores and systems.

• Risk: bias in data turns trust into discrimination.

Curiosity Twist

• Do we trust algorithms more than humans?

• When systems fail, who’s accountable—the code or the coder?

Practical Lessons

• Question the trust systems you use (credit, apps, feeds).

• Diversify information sources outside algorithms.

• Advocate for algorithmic transparency.

Quick Checklist

□ Notice when trust is mediated by tech
□ Research biases in daily algorithms
□ Diversify your digital inputs
□ Support ethical AI movements

Bottom Line

Algorithms may be the new gatekeepers of trust. The challenge is ensuring they reflect fairness, not just efficiency.