On June 1–2, 2026, the international conference Data Justice 2026: The Datafied State took place in Cardiff (United Kingdom), bringing together scholars to examine the social and political transformations driven by data-intensive systems. In this context, ALCOM researchers, Liana Pithan y Fernanda Pires presented the paper “Personifying the Algorithmic State: Strategies of Resistance and Negotiation”.
The study explores how individuals perceive and make sense of the so-called “algorithmic state,” referring to the ways in which public institutions integrate automated systems into decision-making processes. Through this perspective, the research analyzes how these systems are personified, showing how citizens attribute intentions, responsibilities, and forms of agency to technologies often framed as neutral.
In addition, the paper examines the strategies of resistance and negotiation that emerge in response to data-driven governance. The findings suggest that individuals are not passive actors but actively develop everyday practices to question, adapt to, or influence these systems.
This contribution highlights the importance of understanding the algorithmic state not only as a technical infrastructure but also as a social phenomenon that reshapes the relationship between citizens, power, and technology.
