Human Power

"Human Power is exactly the book needed to bring perspective and wisdom to current AI debates. While a paragon of technology criticism, the book also exemplifies hopeful vision. Hasselbalch balances philosophical and intensely practical perspectives, identifying love, defiance, emotion, and creativity as vital forces in human life that must be respected and served (rather than mastered) by machines. Her enthusiasm and genuine interest in the well-being of others shines through on every page."
--Frank Pasquale, Professor of Law, Cornell Tech & Cornell Law School, USA

"In an age of AI hype, it's far too easy to sell humanity short—to see ourselves through an atrophied imagination that distorts our self-understanding and shortchanges our individual and collective potential. The antidote is Gry Hasselbach's bold, rigorous, and creatively interdisciplinary call to appreciate and cultivate seven fundamental traits at the heart of human power. Her profound existential and political book justifies the most urgent of demands—to resist seeing the depth of the human condition accurately reflected in seductively reductive technological imitations."
--Evan Selinger, Professor of Philosophy, Rochester Institute of Technology, USA

“The fundamental and existential question "What does it mean to be human?" is at the heart of Gry Hasselbalch's new book, Human Power. Since the beginning of human history, we have been able to gain and consolidate our human power through interaction with the nature and artefacts that surround us, at least until the last decade. Today, as AI continues to expand its reach into our society, while dramatically increasing productivity, efficiency and competitiveness, this virtuous circle of human power and artefacts could be reversed. Better to prevent it before it happens! Gry accompanies us on this journey, trusting in our human capacity.”
--Yuko Harayama, Professor Emeritus, Tohoku University, Japan

"In making the case for a human-centric contextualization of the power of new information technologies, Gry Hasselbalch deploys reflections from a vast range of sources, from popular culture to the history of science to newly relevant philosophical luminaries, especially Henri Bergson. Human Power offers a bold, informed and deeply human alternative to the seductive tyranny of the algorithm."
--JonathanMoreno, Professor Emeritus, University of Pennsylvania, USA

“The author explores the intricacies, unpredictability and irreplaceability of seven traits - Creativity, Intuition, Feeling and Emotions, Life, Defiance, Love and Compassion, and Wisdom - that can’t be emulated, echoed or surpassed even if AI has invaded every aspect of our existence. This book is a clarion call for the preservation and reinforcement of these traits of human power, constructing an alternative, theoretically and culturally rich technology politics with a humanistic face.”
--Renuka Singh, Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India

"Gry’s new book is a must-read for anyone who is trying to keep up with the rapidly changing landscape of AI. The book challenges us to look past the AI hype, and beyond narrow definitions of AI, to be more creative about what AI can do for humanity. She outlines a humanistic perspective on AI, advocating a nuanced understanding of AI’s real potential, where AI is not designed to replace human power, but to enhance it."
--Serge Belongie, Director and Professor, Pioneer Centre for AI and Department of Computer Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark