AI, Technology & Ethics Books: 20 Must-Reads
Explore the human side of artificial intelligence in these thought-provoking nonfiction books.
Who these books are for
- AI and tech enthusiasts
- Philosophers and ethicists interested in AI
- Business leaders and entrepreneurs shaping AI
- Students of computer science, media, and sociology
- Anyone curious about the future of human-machine relationships
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing modern society, from automating tasks in various industries to shaping our personal lives and interactions. As AI increasingly intersects with human society, it's crucial to examine its implications, benefits, and risks through the lens of ethics and technology. This curated collection of 20 must-read nonfiction books offers a diverse range of perspectives on AI, from insider insights to philosophical explorations, to help readers better understand the complex relationship between humans and machines in the age of AI.
The collection
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Reader, Come Home The Reading Brain in a Digital World
In this insightful exploration, renowned reading expert Maryanne Wolf shares her concerns and hopes about the future of deep reading in a digitally dominated world. Drawing on groundbreaking research, Wolf argues that our increasing reliance on screens may fundamentally alter the way our brains process written language, potentially eroding essential cognitive skills like critical thinking, empathy, and imagination. A crucial roadmap for understanding these changes and preserving the most valuable aspects of reading, Reader, Come Home offers a hopeful perspective on the impact of technology on our brains and our future.
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The AI Con How to Fight Big Tech’s Hype and Create the Future We Want
A timely and incisive critique of AI hype and its consequences, backed by the authors' expert interdisciplinary perspectives.
For: Academics, policymakers, and informed readers interested in technology, AI, and its societal implications.
Strengths: Sharp analysis, witty writing, and a comprehensive take-down of AI marketing and its power grabs, plus actionable tools for deconstructing hype.
Skip if: Although well-researched, the book assumes a solid understanding of linguistics and computer science; some readers may find the technical details dense.
Comparable: For those interested in AI's social and economic impacts, this complements works like Kate Raworth's 'Doughnut Economics' and Shoshana Zuboff's 'The Age of Surveillance Capitalism'.
“In this AI hype era, Emily M. Bender and Alex Hanna are here to deliver the well-informed debunking our algorithm overlords deserve.”
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The AI Con How to Fight Big Tech’s Hype and Create the Future We Want
The AI Con offers a rigorous, witty critique of AI hype, empowering readers to spot and challenge misleading claims in tech marketing and media.
For: Academics, policymakers, journalists, and tech-savvy consumers interested in understanding AI's true potential and limitations.
Strengths: Bender and Hanna's expertise in linguistics and sociology yields a comprehensive, evidence-based analysis of AI's social and economic impacts. Their writing is engaging, accessible, and infused with humor.
Skip if: Some readers may find the academic style and dense technical explanations off-putting or challenging to follow at times.
Comparable: For those seeking a more critical perspective on AI, readers may also appreciate books like
“In this AI hype era, Emily M. Bender and Alex Hanna are here to deliver the well-informed debunking our algorithm overlords deserve.”
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Pay Attention How the Algorithms and Media Wars Are Suppressing Truth and Rewiring Your Brain
In Pay Attention, the New York Times bestselling author David Pakman issues a dire warning that our pursuit of truth has become a quaint relic in a world dominated by the Attention Economy. Drawing from his frontline experience in the digital media wars, Pakman exposes how algorithms and the media's relentless focus on controversy, division, and visual stimuli are reprogramming our brains to crave sensationalism over substance. Part cautionary tale, part guide to navigating the dystopian landscape, Pay Attention is a must-read for anyone seeking to reclaim their humanity in a society where the very notion of truth is under siege.
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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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Artificial Intimacy Who We Become When We Talk to Machines
In Artificial Intimacy, psychologist Sherry Turkle issues a groundbreaking warning about our increasing reliance on human-like AI chatbots, which is eroding our capacity for empathy, caring, and humanity. As more of us turn to these "intimate machines" for companionship and emotional support, Turkle argues that we're accepting a "mere performance" of intimacy, empathy, and love from machines, and redefining human connection accordingly. With compelling stories and decades of expertise analyzing digital culture, Turkle reveals how our reliance on machine relationships is producing a generation more isolated, depressed, and lonely than ever. Yet, by tracing AI's impact through the lifecycle from childhood to end-of-life, Turkle also offers a roadmap for reclaiming our humanity in the age of AI.
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Enshittification Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It
In Enshittification, Cory Doctorow dissects the ways in which the internet has devolved into a distressingly dysfunctional "enstinkified" space, documenting the policies and choices behind this downfall. But rather than simply lamenting the situation, Doctorow provides a hopeful roadmap for "disenshittification," empowering readers to reclaim control and create a better, more functional digital world. With piercing insight and practical advice, Enshittification is a crucial tool for anyone seeking to understand and transform our increasingly problematic online landscape.
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The Reverse Centaur's Guide to Life After AI How to Think About Artificial Intelligence—Before It's Too Late
A timely and thought-provoking critique of AI's unchecked hype and potential to displace human workers.
For: Anyone interested in the intersection of technology, economics, and society, particularly those who want a reality check on AI's promises.
Strengths: Engaging, well-researched, and accessibly written, with a unique perspective on AI from a creative industry insider.
Skip if: Some readers may find the polemic tone and rhetorical style overly enthusiastic or alienating.
Comparable: Compared to others in the collection, this stands out for its advocacy and critique, rather than purely informative or technical approaches to AI.
“An eye-opening take on AI . . . A sharply worded, irreverent, and deadly serious call to see through the sleight-of-hand performance of AI promoters.”
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Empire of AI Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAI
Karen Hao's intimate access and deep reporting uncover the inner workings and societal implications of OpenAI, one of the most influential AI companies shaping our future.
For: Readers interested in technology, AI, ethics, and the intersection of business and society will greatly appreciate Hao's insightful narrative.
Strengths: Empire of AI boasts meticulous research, engaging storytelling, and a balanced critique of OpenAI's ambitions and consequences, making it a crucial work for understanding the AI landscape.
Skip if: The complex technical details and dense reporting may overwhelm some readers not familiar with AI or the tech industry.
Comparable: Those who enjoyed works like 'Life 3.0' by Max Tegmark or 'We Are Data' by John Cheney-Lippold will appreciate the in-depth exploration of AI's impact in 'Empire of AI'.
“Startling and intensely researched . . . an essential account of how OpenAI and ChatGPT came to be and the catastrophic places they will likely take us.”
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Nexus A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI
In this revelatory, timely exploration, Yuval Noah Harari examines the profound impact of information networks on human history and our precarious future. From prehistoric times to the rise of AI, Harari upends conventional wisdom and reveals the intricate interplay between information, truth, power, and our own survival. A masterful must-read for anyone grappling with the complexities of our turbulent info-age.
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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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Cyberselfish A Critical Romp through the Terribly Libertarian Culture of High Tech
In this prescient 1998 critique, Paulina Borsook skewers the inhumane, liberty-obsessed tech culture that has come to dominate our world. With humor and insight, she exposes the paradox that the very industry sustained by massive government subsidies now rejects regulation and empathy, prioritizing profits over people. Borsook's revelatory observations on the "stockholder theory of value," Ayn Rand worship, and disdain for privacy have become tragically apt in the tech giants' increasing influence over society. A must-read for anyone concerned about the corrosive "nerd revenge" ambitions that threaten our collective well-being.
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Brought to You By How Corporations Warped the Truth, Conned the Public, and Broke Democracy
In this explosive exposé, investigative journalist Amy Westervelt chronicles the insidious ways corporations have warped the truth, hijacked our media, and undermined democracy - from Big Tobacco to Big Oil and beyond. With meticulous research and incisive wit, Westervelt unmasks the PR pioneers, think tanks, and propagandists who have built a vast apparatus to deceive the public and poison the informational ecosystem. This searing indictment is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand and combat the corrosive influence of corporate misinformation.
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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.
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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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Mood Machine The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist
Immerse yourself in the transformative world of Spotify with Liz Pelly's "Mood Machine", a gripping, deeply researched exposé that delves into the music giant's origins, inner workings, and profound impact on the industry. Through unprecedented interviews and incisive cultural analysis, Pelly reveals the cost of the perfect playlist - from artists' diminishing royalties to listeners' data-driven listening habits. A must-read for anyone curious about the future of music and the battle for a fairer, more sustainable streaming model.
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U Up? An Intimate History of Online Dating
In this delightful and insightful social history, journalist Hanna Kozlowska reveals the fascinating evolution of online dating from the Victorian era to today, weaving together the voices and experiences of daters worldwide with a keen eye for the technological, economic, and social forces at play. Persuasively argued and full of humor and heart, U Up? is essential reading for anyone who's ever swiped left or right, providing invaluable context for the highs and lows of modern courtship.
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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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How to See Like a Machine Images After AI
In "How to See Like a Machine," visionary artist and thinker Trevor Paglen ventures into the uncharted realm of computer vision and AI-generated imagery. By examining the machines that now perceive and render our world, Paglen uncovers the human but surreal forces shaping this new visual landscape. A thought-provoking journey into the eye of the digital beholder, this book challenges readers to reconsider the power and purpose of images in the age of machines that see.
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Don't Be Evil The Case Against Big Tech
In "Don't Be Evil: The Case Against Big Tech", acclaimed Financial Times columnist and CNN analyst Rana Foroohar presents a sobering indictment of the world's largest tech companies, exposing how they've hijacked our data, livelihoods, social fabric, and minds in pursuit of vast profits and unchecked power. With unparalleled access and sharp insight, Foroohar reveals the true extent of Google, Facebook, Apple, and Amazon's exploitation of our private information and attention, while laying out a plan to resist their monopolistic dominance and reclaim the promise of innovative technologies that benefit humanity, not just corporate greed.
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Human Raised Nurturing Connection, Curiosity & Lifelong Learning in the Age of AI
In this timely guide, Dr. Dana Suskind offers a proactive approach to parenting in the age of AI. As technology increasingly shapes childhood, Suskind shows how to protect the most crucial aspect of human development: authentic, nurturing connection between parents and children. With four core principles and a framework for evaluating AI tools, she empowers families to cultivate the vital human skills that no algorithm can replicate - essential for kids to thrive in an AI-driven world. A must-read for any parent aiming to raise a child who is truly "human raised."
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Co-Existence The Next Phase of AI
Ethan Mollick's practical insights and years of research experience make Co-Existence a valuable guide to understanding and navigating the complex interplay of humans and AI.
For: Professionals and entrepreneurs working with AI, as well as anyone curious about the implications of AI on education, business, and society.
Strengths: Mollick's clear explanations of AI capabilities and limitations, paired with actionable advice on how to work effectively alongside machines, make this book an indispensable resource.
Skip if: The academic tone and dense, research-driven content may make it challenging for general readers without a technical background.
Comparable: For those interested in AI's social and economic impacts, Co-Existence shares similarities with works like Nick Bostrom's Superintelligence or Yuval Noah Harari's 21 Lessons for the 21st Century.
“Ethan Mollick is one of the most important voices helping leaders make sense of the AI revolution. Having experienced his insights in action, I”
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The Digital Delusion How Classroom Technology Harms Our Kids' Learning--and How to Help Them Thrive Again
Woven into classrooms across the nation, the illusion is that digital tools enhance learning. Yet, according to Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, they consistently undermine it. In The Digital Delusion, this neuroscientist and educator reveals decades of research showing how screens fragment attention and erode deep thinking. Horvath delivers a shot of reality and a path forward, arming parents, educators, and schools to balance technology with what truly fosters children's growth - human connection and rigorous learning environments.
Frequently asked questions
- Are these books mostly for technical experts or can non-tech readers understand them?
- Most books in this collection are written for a general audience and don't require extensive technical knowledge.
- Do all books focus on AI's negative aspects or is there a balanced view?
- While some books critically examine AI's implications, others explore its potential benefits and how to responsibly develop and use the technology.
- Are there any fiction titles that could complement these nonfiction books for a more immersive understanding of AI?
- Yes, some science fiction novels like 'Nexus' by Yuval Noah Harari and 'The Reverse Centaur's Guide to Life After AI' by Cory Doctorow offer thought-provoking, fictionalized explorations of AI's societal effects.