Algorithms: Not Evil, Helpful
Whether or not you have an analytics background, in this digital age algorithms are everywhere… in how ambulances determine their route to the hospital, in elections… you name it.
When elected officials control the maps, they are not just participating in democracy. They are engineering the habitat in which democracy thrives or languishes. That makes redistricting not only a political problem, but also an operations research problem.
INFORMS has awarded Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) its 2026 Franz Edelman Award for Achievement in Advanced Analytics, Operations Research and Management Science, for reengineering how global cloud infrastructure is planned and delivered, applying advanced analytics and AI to orchestrate complex fulfillment decisions across its rapidly expanding data center network.
In the rush to adopt artificial intelligence, many employers are now requiring that employees use AI tools. As you’re using AI, be intentional and selective. It’s critical that you know yourself. Research published in Management Science found that AI is most valuable for people who understand their own abilities and limitations. Assess yourself, so you can factor this into your process for incorporating AI into your work.
An audio journey of how data and analytics save lives, save money and solve problems.

Jeff Cohen
Chief Strategy Officer
INFORMS
Catonsville, MD
[email protected]
443-757-3565
Explore our resources for multiple topics including:
Whether or not you have an analytics background, in this digital age algorithms are everywhere… in how ambulances determine their route to the hospital, in elections… you name it.
INFORMS member Dean Hartley discusses his article "Persuasion Wars, Part 1," featured in the June issue of OR/MS Today magazine, which explores the history of the science of persuasion.
Given the scale of the world’s food supply, there aren’t many industries that lend themselves to the power of data science and analytics than agriculture. This is the thinking behind a new research paper from a group of data scientists who make a case for finding new ways to use blockchain, AI and API management to enable “smart agriculture.” The paper, “Agricultural Digital Transformation,” has been published in the OR/MS Today journal from the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS).
Dr. Sheldon Jacobson was interviewed on Costal Daybreak about algorithmic redistricting in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision to send the issue of congressional redistricting back to the States.
A paper in the INFORMS journal of Organization Science find the gender pay gap lessens among university presidents at prestigious universities.

OR/MS Today is the INFORMS member magazine that shares the latest research and best practices in operations research, analytics and the management sciences.
Access OR/MS Today Magazine
Analytics magazine showcases articles and research reports based on big data, AI, machine learning, data analytics and other new-age technologies.
Access Analytics Magazine