We revisit classic algorithmic search and optimization problems from the perspective of competition. Rather than a single optimizer minimizing expected cost, we consider a zero-sum game in which an optimization problem is presented to two players, whose only goal is to outperform the opponent....

We study the effectiveness of information design in reducing congestion in social services catering to users with varied levels of need. In the absence of price discrimination and centralized admission, the provider relieson sharing information about wait times to improve welfare. We consider a...

Motivated by viral marketing on social networks, we study the diffusion process of a new product on a network where each agent is connected to a random subset of others. The number of contacts (i.e., degree) varies across agents and the firm knows the degree of each agent. Further, the firm can...