Artificial Unintelligence

How Computers Misunderstand the World

Nonfiction, Computers, Advanced Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Science & Nature, Technology, Social Aspects, General Computing
Cover of the book Artificial Unintelligence by Meredith Broussard, The MIT Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Meredith Broussard ISBN: 9780262346740
Publisher: The MIT Press Publication: April 20, 2018
Imprint: The MIT Press Language: English
Author: Meredith Broussard
ISBN: 9780262346740
Publisher: The MIT Press
Publication: April 20, 2018
Imprint: The MIT Press
Language: English

A guide to understanding the inner workings and outer limits of technology and why we should never assume that computers always get it right.

In Artificial Unintelligence, Meredith Broussard argues that our collective enthusiasm for applying computer technology to every aspect of life has resulted in a tremendous amount of poorly designed systems. We are so eager to do everything digitally—hiring, driving, paying bills, even choosing romantic partners—that we have stopped demanding that our technology actually work. Broussard, a software developer and journalist, reminds us that there are fundamental limits to what we can (and should) do with technology. With this book, she offers a guide to understanding the inner workings and outer limits of technology—and issues a warning that we should never assume that computers always get things right.

Making a case against technochauvinism—the belief that technology is always the solution—Broussard argues that it's just not true that social problems would inevitably retreat before a digitally enabled Utopia. To prove her point, she undertakes a series of adventures in computer programming. She goes for an alarming ride in a driverless car, concluding “the cyborg future is not coming any time soon”; uses artificial intelligence to investigate why students can't pass standardized tests; deploys machine learning to predict which passengers survived the Titanic disaster; and attempts to repair the U.S. campaign finance system by building AI software. If we understand the limits of what we can do with technology, Broussard tells us, we can make better choices about what we should do with it to make the world better for everyone.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

A guide to understanding the inner workings and outer limits of technology and why we should never assume that computers always get it right.

In Artificial Unintelligence, Meredith Broussard argues that our collective enthusiasm for applying computer technology to every aspect of life has resulted in a tremendous amount of poorly designed systems. We are so eager to do everything digitally—hiring, driving, paying bills, even choosing romantic partners—that we have stopped demanding that our technology actually work. Broussard, a software developer and journalist, reminds us that there are fundamental limits to what we can (and should) do with technology. With this book, she offers a guide to understanding the inner workings and outer limits of technology—and issues a warning that we should never assume that computers always get things right.

Making a case against technochauvinism—the belief that technology is always the solution—Broussard argues that it's just not true that social problems would inevitably retreat before a digitally enabled Utopia. To prove her point, she undertakes a series of adventures in computer programming. She goes for an alarming ride in a driverless car, concluding “the cyborg future is not coming any time soon”; uses artificial intelligence to investigate why students can't pass standardized tests; deploys machine learning to predict which passengers survived the Titanic disaster; and attempts to repair the U.S. campaign finance system by building AI software. If we understand the limits of what we can do with technology, Broussard tells us, we can make better choices about what we should do with it to make the world better for everyone.

More books from The MIT Press

Cover of the book Knowledge Management in Theory and Practice by Meredith Broussard
Cover of the book Mindvaults by Meredith Broussard
Cover of the book Model Checking by Meredith Broussard
Cover of the book Hijacking Sustainability by Meredith Broussard
Cover of the book Building Successful Online Communities by Meredith Broussard
Cover of the book Happiness by Meredith Broussard
Cover of the book Introduction to Computation and Programming Using Python by Meredith Broussard
Cover of the book Communities of Play by Meredith Broussard
Cover of the book Toward A Minor Architecture by Meredith Broussard
Cover of the book Rules of Play by Meredith Broussard
Cover of the book Robotics Through Science Fiction by Meredith Broussard
Cover of the book The Feeling Body by Meredith Broussard
Cover of the book Monetary Theory and Policy by Meredith Broussard
Cover of the book Climate of Capitulation by Meredith Broussard
Cover of the book The Prism of Grammar by Meredith Broussard
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy