Noah Romsdal Hallundbæk Sørensen
AI is supposed to understand you. But what happens when it doesn’t? Here are ten moments where algorithms misread who you are – and what those mistakes reveal about the systems around us.
You’re not who the algorithm thinks you are. This list explores what happens when machines misread you – and how that impacts your digital life.
It shows you ads for things you’ve never cared about
You clicked on something for a friend, and suddenly your feed assumes you’re trying to lose weight or get rich. AI builds a profile of you from random signals, and it gets personal, fast.
It recommends content that makes you feel worse
You watched one sad video, and now it’s all tragedy and fear. AI confuses attention with interest, feeding you a version of the world you didn’t ask for – and maybe can’t escape.
Your AI-enhanced self gets more attention than the real you
An avatar, filter or deepfake version of you gets the likes and comments – and you start to wonder: Am I not enough in my unedited form?
It thinks you’re someone else
Shared devices or merged data confuse the system. Suddenly you’re being shown things that make no sense, and in extreme cases, that confusion can create legal or social consequences.
You get rejected because of an invisible score
Whether it’s for a loan, job or apartment, AI may have already judged you based on unknown data. You never get to see the score, but it changes your path.
It thinks you’re in crisis – when you’re not
A playlist, search or mood triggers a suggestion for mental health support. Well-meaning, yes – but also intrusive. The machine can’t tell the difference between curiosity and vulnerability.
It resurfaces memories you tried to bury
A social platform reminds you of a moment you’d rather forget. What it sees as nostalgia, you feel as emotional ambush. AI doesn’t know the story – only the timestamp.
It puts you in the wrong category
Based on your location or contacts, AI assumes you like what others around you do. Suddenly you’re part of a trend, a political group, or a stereotype that doesn’t fit.
It guesses your age, gender or background incorrectly
You get ads in a different language, offers for products you don’t need, or assumptions based on flawed data. It’s a reminder of how quickly tech turns guesses into facts.
It tries to be personal – and completely misses the mark
“Good morning! Ready to seize the day?” your app chirps while you’re mentally crashing. It’s a cold reminder that no one is actually there behind the interface.