Mashable News: How an algorithm could help spread HIV information among homeless teens

"Algorithm" has become a dirty word. While many websites and social networks set up algorithms to anticipate and meet their users' needs, they also use them to manipulate our data for advertising, making money off every digital step we take.

But we can use algorithms for social good, too. Social workers and computer scientists at the University of Southern California (USC) are doing just that, using math and data to help prevent the spread of HIV among homeless teens.