What it is

An algorithm is a set of instructions for solving a problem or completing a task. A recipe is an algorithm. So is the process you follow to expense a receipt. In tech, algorithms are the step-by-step rules that software follows. Some are simple (sort these names alphabetically). Some are extraordinarily complex (decide which ads to show this person based on everything they've ever clicked on).

Why it matters for your job

Algorithms already make decisions that affect your work, whether you realise it or not. They filter your emails, rank your search results, and increasingly decide things like who gets a loan, who gets an interview, and whose content gets seen. Understanding that these aren't magic or neutral but are just instructions written by people with biases and priorities gives you a massive advantage in any role.

What to do about it

Next time someone says "the algorithm decided," ask what that actually means. What data went in? What rules were applied? Getting comfortable asking these questions is a career skill that's only going to become more valuable.