Reviews

Code Dependent: Living in the Shadow of AI by Madhumita Murgia

jcampbell's review against another edition

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challenging

5.0

Such a fantastic look into the human costs of AI. From data labellers being paid above the living wage for their area and still exploited when you consider the vast amounts of money companies are making on their labour; to rideshare drivers who are having algorithms routinely underpay them for the distance and time they have worked. 

The book is diverse in its discussion and keeps you really engaged as it helps refocus the narrative from the technology to the people building it, using it and suffering because of it. 

efpaterson's review against another edition

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informative sad medium-paced

4.0

steph_jones89's review against another edition

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challenging informative medium-paced

5.0

minakoreads's review against another edition

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informative reflective medium-paced

4.25

jenmarchal's review against another edition

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challenging informative sad medium-paced

4.0

memydogandbooks's review

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informative medium-paced

4.5

Mindblowing! And threw me into feelings of existential dread. This is short-listed for the Women's Prize for Non-Fiction and I can see why!

SYNOPSIS:

Code Dependent explores how AI is subtly changing our lives, from healthcare to education, raising concerns about its growing influence and potential threat to our free will. The book highlights real-life stories to showcase the impact of AI on everyday people and urges us to take control before it's too late.

MY THOUGHTS:

- This gripped me immediately Murgia's ability to focus on the human side and impact of AI in a VERY accessible way.
- The impact on data labourers, app-based workers, content moderators the the inequity that AI and algorithms have on their working lives: gamifying their work and the prize is their livelihood!
- I consumed this book in 24hrs it was so absorbing and easy to read given the topic
- It felt like a non-fiction version of Black Mirror
- The fact that AI has the potential to erode our sense of free will and what it means to be human!
- It terrified me and filled me with despair BUT there is a glimmer of hope in that to truly ensure we don't sleepwalk into a world of AI without any control we have to demand that it's built with values and ethics, honesty, justice and transparency.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

arizonas's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

4.0

bookyberrybridge's review

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dark informative medium-paced

3.5

caroline_norrish's review against another edition

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challenging informative medium-paced

4.5

libsreads's review against another edition

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medium-paced

4.0