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The Tyranny of Algorithms

Understanding the effects of AI on society and democracy

Miguel Benasayag author Steven Rendall translator

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Europa Editions (UK) Ltd

Published:13th May '21

Should be back in stock very soon

The Tyranny of Algorithms cover

This thought-provoking book examines how algorithms shape human existence and societal structures, questioning the future of democracy in an AI-dominated landscape.

In The Tyranny of Algorithms, the author explores the profound effects of the digital landscape and its accompanying algorithms on individuals and society as a whole. The discourse surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) often oscillates between viewing it as a beacon of future happiness or as a looming threat to humanity. However, the reality is that AI is already woven into the fabric of our lives, and the pressing question becomes how we navigate our existence in a world increasingly dictated by algorithms. This examination raises critical inquiries about our roles as human beings in this technologically driven environment.

The book delves into the historical relationship between technology and the human mind, highlighting how technological advancements have always influenced human thought and behavior. As we create and utilize these technologies, they simultaneously reshape our cognitive processes. With the rise of AI, this relationship has intensified, leading to a scenario where machines may dominate our decision-making and reduce individuals to mere data points, overshadowing the rich complexities of human identity. The implications of this shift are profound, as it raises concerns about the erosion of individuality and the commodification of human experience.

In a world where algorithmic governance prevails, the author poses essential questions about the future of democracy and collective action. How can societies maintain democratic values when decision-making power is increasingly outsourced to AI? Through a blend of essay and interview formats, The Tyranny of Algorithms offers insightful reflections and potential pathways for addressing these challenges, encouraging readers to critically engage with the implications of living in an algorithm-driven world.

A hybrid of essay and dialogue in which anthropologist Régis Meyran and philosopher Miguel Benasayag ask one of the fundamental questions of our time: how are humans meant to live in the time of the machine? Benasayag is a fascinating character in his own right — psychoanalyst, victim of torture by the Argentine junta and one-time resistance fighter. He accepts algorithms are inevitable, but what does their rise mean for such essential concepts as democracy and free will? * Independent.ie *

ISBN: 9781787702929

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

128 pages