A Human Algorithm: How Artificial Intelligence Is Redefining Who We Are is a 2019 non-fiction book by American international human rights attorney Flynn Coleman. It argues that, in order to manage the power shift from humans to increasingly advanced artificial intelligence, it will be necessary to instill human values into artificial intelligence, and to proactively develop oversight mechanisms.[1]

A Human Algorithm
First edition
AuthorFlynn Coleman
LanguageEnglish
GenrePopular science
PublisherCounterpoint Press
Publication date
2019
Publication placeUnited States
Pages336 pp (hardcover 1st edition)
ISBN9781640092365 (hardcover 1st edition)

Overview

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Coleman argues that the algorithms underlying artificial intelligence could greatly improve the human condition, if the algorithms are carefully based on ethical human values. An ideal artificial intelligence would be "not a replicated model of our own brains, but an expansion of our lens and our vantage point as to what intelligence, life, meaning, and humanity are and can be." Failure in this regard might leave us "a species without a purpose", lacking "any sense of happiness, meaning, or satisfaction".[2] She states that despite stirrings of an "algorithmic accountability movement", humanity is "alarmingly unready" for the arrival of more powerful forms of artificial intelligence.[3][4]

Reception

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A review in Library Journal strongly recommended the book to "both the cyber crowds and those interested in human psychology".[5] Kirkus Reviews called the book "meaty" and "energetic".[6] Publishers Weekly judged the book's optimism to be unconvincing.[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "A Human Algorithm". Counterpoint Press. March 14, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  2. ^ Sullivan, James (October 21, 2019). "Review: Andrew Marantz's 'Antisocial' examines the foibles of our online life". Datebook | San Francisco Arts & Entertainment Guide (San Francisco Chronicle). Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  3. ^ Randall Amster (2019). "a book review by Randall Amster: A Human Algorithm: How Artificial Intelligence Is Redefining Who We Are". New York Journal of Books. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  4. ^ Coleman, Flynn (2019). A Human Algorithm: How Artificial Intelligence Is Redefining Who We Are. Counterpoint Press. ISBN 9781640092365.
  5. ^ Flynn, Coleman (2019). "A Human Algorithm: How Artificial Intelligence Is Redefining Who We Are". Library Journal. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  6. ^ "A HUMAN ALGORITHM | Kirkus Reviews". Kirkus Reviews. 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  7. ^ "A Human Algorithm: How Artificial Intelligence Is Defining Who We Are". Publishers Weekly. 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
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