Question

Which of the following is a good example of a feedback loop in machine learning?

A: A social media site tracks engagement, uses an algorithm to surface posts you're likely to engage with, which then goes back into the algorithm
B: A social media site surfaces controversial posts, which make users more angry and lead to more angry posts on the network
C: A shopping app tracks your purchases, and recommends new things to buy
D: A shopping app surfaces new items to buy, which is based on dataset from customers fitting a similar profile. when you buy, you go into that dataset

Answer 1

The best examples of a feedback loop in machine learning are options A and D, where user interaction with a platform informs the algorithms that then influence further user interactions, creating a positive feedback loop.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the options provided, a good example of a feedback loop in machine learning is option A: A social media site tracks engagement, uses an algorithm to surface posts you're likely to engage with, which then goes back into the algorithm. This exemplifies a positive feedback loop where a user's interaction with content informs the algorithm, which then presents more similar content likely to engage the user, reinforcing the loop.

Option D also represents a feedback mechanism: A shopping app surfaces new items to buy, which is based on dataset from customers fitting a similar profile. When you buy, you go into that dataset. It's another example of a positive feedback loop where customer behavior helps to refine and personalize suggestions, which in turn may influence future purchases and thus the dataset.

While B and C describe the effects of algorithms, they aren't as clear as A and D in illustrating the cyclical process of a feedback loop.