Calculated is an interactive installation that critically examines how non-neutral algorithms shape user behavior under the illusion of choice. Inspired by algorithmic bias and speculative futures, the work guides participants through four staged interactions—catch, smash, shout, and drag—each presenting a sense of agency while gradually revealing underlying algorithmic control. Implemented using p5.js, the piece integrates hand tracking, microphone input, mouse interaction, and dynamic generative text. Visual effects such as distortion, transformation, and scanning overlays simulate digital surveillance. Rather than offering escape, the project immerses users in a controlled system where every action, however “free”, is pre-calculated. The speculative aspect lies in prompting users to confront a manipulated reality where their behavior is shaped by invisible forces. By engaging participants in seemingly playful interactions that always lead to the same conclusion—CALCULATED—the work reveals the illusion of autonomy and encourages critical reflection on our entanglement with algorithmic systems.

“Calculated” is an interactive installation exploring how non-neutral algorithms shape our actions. Inspired by situations on algorithmic bias and speculative futures, the work guides participants through four staged interactions—catch, smash, shout, and drag—each simulating a sense of agency while subtly exposing algorithmic control. Using hand-tracking, sound, and dynamic text, the piece mimics digital surveillance and manipulation. Its speculative nature lies not in offering escape, but in revealing how deeply our behaviors are already calculated. By immersing users in this illusion, the work provokes critical reflection: Are we indeed in control, or simply participating in a pre-written script?