The Trace Odyssey 1. Beatrice Galinon-Melenec

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      1 1 In this book, the term conséquences-traces is used in its original French to indicate that what is written is integrally bound to the concept of a “trace”, seen through the angle of its consequences. Similarly, each time a phrase includes the term “trace”, it will be written in French, indicating a terminology specific to the paradigm of Homme-trace (Ichnos-Anthropos in Greek, Human-Trace in English). This approach implies an understanding in terms of the interactions of complex systems based on the concept of conséquences-traces. Concepts like Homme-trace, and conséquences-traces are extensively developed throughout the book.

      2 2 As is to be seen later in the book, (a) the mathematical dimension of a digital algorithm should not conceal the fact that algorithms are fabricated by human beings with their inherent shortcomings. Hence, by their very nature, algorithms convey the conséquences-traces of their judgments. In short, algorithms are everything but neutral (“unbiased”). As Cathy O’Neil (2016, p. 21) reminds us: “Our own values and desires influence our choices, from the data we choose to collect to the questions we ask. Models are opinions embedded in mathematics”. She also goes on to state that “mathematical models are based on the past, and on the assumption that patterns will repeat” (p. 38); (b) the interaction of the complex systems of digital conséquences-traces can produce unexpected results for human beings. These observations lead Cathy O’Neil to state that algorithms create their own reality. See in French: https://www.liberation.fr/debats/2018/11/16/cathy-o-neil-les-algorithmes-creent-leurpropre-realite_1692515.

      3 3 See Chapter 2 of this volume.

      4 4 The idea of “computation” is specific to computing in that it is based solely on 0-1.

      5 5 Computational traceability must be possible and must allow the results to be traced back, concerning the algorithmic consequences in algorithmic outcomes/consequences, to ethical frameworks that were initially programmed by individual humans. Since some algorithms can be subject to learning loops, the algorithm is self-evolving, which makes traceability increasingly complex and problematic to reconstruct. This is the case for “learning robots”, which use such algorithms to develop an autonomy and consequently raise questions of liability in the case of human safety violations.

      6 6 Forecasts for 2020: global web traffic of 2.2 ZB for a broadband connection speed of 47.7 Mbps, carried by mobile devices and Wi-Fi connections that would then represent 2/3 of the traffic, and by connected objects connected to IP networks that would be three times more than the world’s population.

      7 7 “Domino effect” is a term we use to signify chain reactions.

      8 8 When we focus the illustrations on the concept of “corps-traces” (Volume 2), we use the field of medical diagnosis to illustrate the point.

      9 9 As indicated by Yves Jeanneret