Where to Start with AI Con
Begin with The AI Con by Emily M. Bender, a groundbreaking exploration of AI's impact on work and society. Follow up with Blood in the Machine by Brian Merchant for a hard-hitting exposé on facial recognition technology.
Who these books are for
- Anyone curious about AI's societal implications
- Professionals seeking to understand AI's impact on work and the economy
- Students of technology, sociology, and ethics looking for authoritative sources
The AI Con and its companion texts offer a powerful starting point for anyone seeking to grasp AI's profound effects on modern society. These books provide authoritative, well-researched perspectives on AI's economic, social, and ethical implications, making them essential reading for professionals, students, and the simply curious alike.
The collection
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The AI Con How to Fight Big Tech’s Hype and Create the Future We Want
In this incisive critique, linguist Emily M. Bender and sociologist Alex Hanna blow the whistle on "AI hype," a pervasive phenomenon that twists words to justify Big Tech's data thievery, surveillance capitalism, and devaluation of human creativity. With a linguist's precision and a sociologist's street smarts, they equip readers to spot, deconstruct, and expose this con, revealing the actual harms behind the hype for a better, more equitable digital future.
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The Internet Con How to Seize the Means of Computation
In The Internet Con, Cory Doctorow reveals how Silicon Valley's tech giants manipulate and exploit our online lives for profit. He lays out a bold plan to dismantle these monopolies by demanding interoperability between platforms - the only path to a truly free and open internet. A must-read for anyone who wants to reclaim control of their digital world.
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AI for Good How Real People Are Using Artificial Intelligence to Fix Things That Matter
In "AI for Good," journalist Josh Tyrangiel shines a light on the unsung heroes using artificial intelligence to improve our world, not just for profit or prestige, but to tackle real problems and make a positive difference. From vaccine distribution to advanced medicine, education, and human connection, Tyrangiel profiles everyday citizens who leveraged AI as a tool to amplify human judgment, rather than replace it. This book is a refreshing, inspiring look at AI's quiet revolution, with valuable lessons on its potential to be a force for good - even in the face of challenges and setbacks.
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Co-Existence The Next Phase of AI
"Co-Existence provides a roadmap for thriving in a world where AI systems outperform and sometimes outsmart humans. Wharton professor Ethan Mollick arms readers with practical strategies for working productively with AI, avoiding dependence, and retaining judgment in an era of rapidly evolving intelligent machines. A clear-eyed, accessible guide to navigating the next phase of the AI revolution with both your skills and sanity intact."
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Empire of AI Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAI
"Join acclaimed journalist Karen Hao on an unprecedented journey inside the world of OpenAI and the AI revolution. With unparalleled intimacy and insight, Hao reveals the true costs of this technology's growth, from the exploited labour behind the scenes to the environmental toll and the shaping of a new global 'empire'. A groundbreaking and timely expose that will forever change your understanding of AI and its profound impact on our world."
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The Reverse Centaur's Guide to Life After AI How to Think About Artificial Intelligence—Before It's Too Late
In The Reverse Centaur's Guide to Life After AI, Cory Doctorow cuts through the hype and examines the true implications of artificial intelligence on our lives, economy, and humanity's future. Part analysis, part call to action, this timely book skewers tech industry spin and reveals the potential for AI to either empower individuals or dehumanize workers. Doctorow argues that we must reshape the narrative around AI to ensure its benefits accrue to all, not just the tech elite. A must-read for navigating the rapid transformation of our world by this astute and innovative thinker.
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Project Maven A Marine Colonel, His Team, and the Dawn of AI Warfare
Blurb: Project Maven is the gripping, behind-the-scenes account of how the US military pioneered the use of artificial intelligence in warfare, transforming the nature of combat and sparking controversy. Drawing on over 200 insider interviews, author Katrina Manson takes readers into the high-stakes world of Pentagon decision-making, Silicon Valley innovation, and the ethical debates surrounding AI's increasing role in making life-or-death decisions on the battlefield. A must-read for anyone seeking to understand the profound implications of AI in an era of shifting global power dynamics and emerging military technologies.
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Blood in the Machine The Origins of the Rebellion Against Big Tech
Uncover the origins of our modern rebellion against Big Tech in this gripping true story that spans from 19th-century England to today's AI boom. "Blood in the Machine" reveals how the Luddites' fight against job-stealing machines mirrors the struggles we face now as automation threatens millions of livelihoods. With a gripping narrative that combines history and science, author Brian Merchant probes the power and threat of technology, offering crucial insights for navigating our rapidly changing world. A must-read for understanding the impact of AI on our lives and our future.
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The Coming Wave AI, Power, and Our Future
Dive into "The Coming Wave", a vital book from AI pioneer Mustafa Suleyman, to understand the profound impact of emerging technologies on global order. As AI transforms industries and reshapes human society, Suleyman warns of existential threats to prosperity and our very way of life. Ranging from DNA printers to autonomous weapons, these fast-proliferating innovations present a containment challenge we dare not ignore. Suleyman's expert perspective offers a roadmap for navigating this perilous path, ensuring the future of humanity flourishes in a world of rapid technological change.
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The God Test Artificial Intelligence and Our Coming Cosmic Reckoning
In "The God Test", Pulitzer Prize finalist Robert Wright offers a profound and timely exploration of the AI revolution as an evolutionary force poised to reshape human society. By tracing the dynamics of intelligence back to the origin of life on Earth, Wright argues this technological advancement is driven by universal principles that, if understood, can equip us to wisely navigate its transformative power and ultimately find deeper meaning and purpose for the species. A must-read for anyone seeking to comprehend the magnitude and potential of our rapidly changing world.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the main focus of The AI Con?
- AI's impact on work, the economy, and society
- Is Blood in the Machine similar to The AI Con?
- No, it's a narrower focus on facial recognition technology and its ethical issues
- Are these books too technical for non-experts?
- No, they're written for general audiences and provide accessible explanations of complex topics