You may not have noticed, but algorithms now run your life. Should we all be scared?

Stream Secrets of Living: Algorithm on BBC Select

I always knew that math was out to get me.

Algorithms now run everything from search engines to satnavs and security data. They help us travel the world, find love and save lives.

In this groundbreaking documentary mathematician, Marcus du Sautoy tries to demystify the world of algorithms, revealing where these 2,000-year-old problem-solvers came from, how they work, and how they are now so advanced they can even program themselves.

Watch The Secret Rules of Modern Living: Algorithms and more acclaimed documentaries on BBC Select today. Restrictions apply*.

More documentaries you might like...

Subscribe to BBC Select for hundreds of hours of thought - provoking, award-winning and critically-acclaimed documentaries from the BBC and beyond.

Stream Magic Numbers on BBC Select

Magic Numbers

Brilliant mathematician Hannah Fry explores the mystery of math and the wonder of numbers.

Watch 21st Century Mythologies on BBC Select

21st Century Mythologies

What hidden meanings lurk behind the messages and media we’re exposed to every day?

Stream Confucius on BBC Select

Confucius

The remarkable story of a great thinker who helped to form a nation and shape the world.

Watch The Joy of Winning on BBC Select

The Joy of Winning

What’s a statistically proven way to live your best life? Do the math.

Watch Don't Panic: The Truth About Population on BBC Select

Don't Panic: The Truth About Population

Want to stop worrying about the future? Watch this exuberant statistical tour-de-force.

Stream Philosophy: A Guide to Happiness on BBC Select

Philosophy: A Guide to Happiness

Can the thoughts and ideas of history’s greatest thinkers help in our day to day lives?

BBC Select free trial

BBC Select is available on Amazon Prime Video Channels and the Apple TV app for only $6.99 a month. Start a 30-day free trial and watch a range of acclaimed documentaries from the BBC and beyond. Restrictions apply*.

Tech & future documentaries

BBC Select is home to a range of BBC future and technology documentaries that show us how the world is advancing.

Watch Fighter Pilot: The Real Top Gun on BBC Select

Fighter Pilot: The Real Top Gun

Which hopeful pilot will become the latest Top Gun and fly the RAF's new fighter jet?

Watch Calculating Ada: The Countess of Computing on BBC Select

Calculating Ada: The Countess of Computing

How did a scandalous 19th-century countess help create the modern era of computing?

Watch Click to Change your Life on BBC Select

Click to Change Your Life: Secrets of a Global Craze

‘Likes’ for cash? An investigation into the billion-dollar online selling industry.

The Instagram Effect Documentary

The Instagram Effect

What impact is Instagram having on the way we view ourselves and others around us?

Stream Hyper Evolution on BBC Select

Hyper Evolution: Rise Of The Robots

In the near future, will we be controlling robots or will the robots be controlling us?

Stream Are You Scared Yet, Human? on BBC Select

Are You Scared Yet, Human?

Should we worry about the effect that Artificial Intelligence could have on our lives?

Stream Secrets of Silicon Valley on BBC Select

Secrets of Silicon Valley

What happened to Silicon Valley’s glittering promise to build a better world?

Stream Me, My Selfie, and I on BBC Select

Me, My Selfie and I

Know thy selfie: We’re so obsessed with how we look, are we forgetting who we are?

Stream Celebs, Brands and Fake Fans on BBC Select

Celebs, Brands and Fake Fans

How can you become a social media sensation? Buy your way to the top.