Olin professor adds human dimension to algorithms for Amazon, Alibaba

At the intersection of machine-learning algorithms and human decision-making is where you’ll often find Dennis Zhang.

The Olin associate professor of supply chain, operations and technology as well as marketing (courtesy) is focused on designing and improving online platforms such as Amazon, Alibaba and Airbnb. In the process, he works to ensure that those platforms and the algorithms behind them can interact effectively with the people who use them.

When we design algorithms, we typically think about the abstract goal we want to achieve. But it’s important to consider people’s reactions to the algorithms and use those reactions to not only optimize for the end goal, but also optimize for people’s experiences in following these algorithms.

Dennis Zhang

To learn more about Zhang’s work, and how it can affect everything from retail shipments to Airbnb bookings, read his profile, part of WashU’s Washington People series.