Thank you for this excellent introduction into and review of 'Code Dependent'! I've downloaded the book and started to read... you're right. This is not about AI, this is a book about us!!
In these AI conversations, I've long since had the inkling that all this next level of 'technology is progress' is a continuation of the familiar power distribution ~ colonialism, capitalism, racism...
Madhumita Murgia reveals her unique insights, and she writes about it so well, it's a joy to read.
I love that she sees both sides so clearly:
“... while people are feeling robbed of their individual ability to direct their own actions and attention, AI systems have led, unexpectedly, to a strengthening of collective agency. Ironically, the intrinsic qualities of automated systems – their opaqueness, inflexibility, constantly changing and unregulated nature – are galvanising people to band together and fight back, to reclaim their humanity.”
THANK YOU Veronika. It's wonderful to hear that the introduction spoke with you You are absolutely right, this is about us.
Murgia certainly has a gift for articulating complex issues with clarity and engaging prose and solid storytelling.
That particular passage you highlighted about the paradoxical strengthening of collective agency is a powerful observation, capturing a nuanced understanding of AI's societal effects. I believe that we will galvalanize and reclaim our humanity.
"AI, she suggests, is simply capitalism’s latest disguise".
Indeed it is! And not just in the U.S. If Xi Jinping thinks he can control it, he's in for a rude surprise.
//
"...propped up by an army of precarious, low-wage workers..."
The very reason I gave up on software development.
//
"Researchers from outside the Anglo-American epicenter, Birhane, Ricaurte, Miceli, build the epistemic scaffolding that Silicon Valley refused to. To say that AI systems replicate bias is now a truism. What Murgia shows is that these systems do not simply reflect injustice; they reroute it, digitize it, and distribute it at scale"
It seems to me, upon reading this, that current AI systems reflect the MAGA cult mentality.
//
"What do we call a system where the pain of the many is processed so the comfort of the few may remain undisturbed?"
Laissez faire Capitalism and Techno-Feudalism.
//
"...if we are living in the shadow of AI, it is because we have not yet looked directly at the people building it, and the structures that keep them there".
Much of which is the result of deliberate misdirection by the billionaire purveyors.
It's insightful how you've drawn parallels between the strategic use of language in the tech world and its application in current political discourse. Your point about AI being a new iteration of capitalism with global reach, and the challenge it presents even to leaders like Xi Jinping, is significant.
You are right about the vulnerable workforce.
I agree AI not only mirrors but actively reshapes and scales existing injustices, these systems can seem to embody specific contemporary ideologies. Your labels for systems that prioritize the comfort of a few at the expense of many also cut to the heart of the power imbalances being discussed.
The idea that the invisibility of these issues is partly due to intentional efforts by those in power is a strong concluding thought.
Every person needs to take back ownership and access control of the data. Frank McCourt with the Project Liberty/People's Internet/Frequency protocol and Tim Berners-Lee with the Solid Protocol and Inrupt corporation are leading the way to develop a viable alternative.
AI is fast becoming the ultimate 'faceless bureaucracy' - (think of the UK. Post-Office scandal) against which one cannot argue one's case regarding an injustice of 'algorithmical-clerical-error'. The type of institutionalised-system where 'the banality of evil' finds much room to do its thing. And I agree, the book shows that the historical track-record of 'Capitalism+Technology' is more of the same. But like I commented previously, its very extremeness might be exactly what's needed to trigger a collective push-back.
Thank you for this excellent introduction into and review of 'Code Dependent'! I've downloaded the book and started to read... you're right. This is not about AI, this is a book about us!!
In these AI conversations, I've long since had the inkling that all this next level of 'technology is progress' is a continuation of the familiar power distribution ~ colonialism, capitalism, racism...
Madhumita Murgia reveals her unique insights, and she writes about it so well, it's a joy to read.
I love that she sees both sides so clearly:
“... while people are feeling robbed of their individual ability to direct their own actions and attention, AI systems have led, unexpectedly, to a strengthening of collective agency. Ironically, the intrinsic qualities of automated systems – their opaqueness, inflexibility, constantly changing and unregulated nature – are galvanising people to band together and fight back, to reclaim their humanity.”
Truly, BIG THANK YOU, Colin 💙 🙏 ✨
THANK YOU Veronika. It's wonderful to hear that the introduction spoke with you You are absolutely right, this is about us.
Murgia certainly has a gift for articulating complex issues with clarity and engaging prose and solid storytelling.
That particular passage you highlighted about the paradoxical strengthening of collective agency is a powerful observation, capturing a nuanced understanding of AI's societal effects. I believe that we will galvalanize and reclaim our humanity.
"...where euphemism is strategy..."
Just like current White House policy.
//
"AI, she suggests, is simply capitalism’s latest disguise".
Indeed it is! And not just in the U.S. If Xi Jinping thinks he can control it, he's in for a rude surprise.
//
"...propped up by an army of precarious, low-wage workers..."
The very reason I gave up on software development.
//
"Researchers from outside the Anglo-American epicenter, Birhane, Ricaurte, Miceli, build the epistemic scaffolding that Silicon Valley refused to. To say that AI systems replicate bias is now a truism. What Murgia shows is that these systems do not simply reflect injustice; they reroute it, digitize it, and distribute it at scale"
It seems to me, upon reading this, that current AI systems reflect the MAGA cult mentality.
//
"What do we call a system where the pain of the many is processed so the comfort of the few may remain undisturbed?"
Laissez faire Capitalism and Techno-Feudalism.
//
"...if we are living in the shadow of AI, it is because we have not yet looked directly at the people building it, and the structures that keep them there".
Much of which is the result of deliberate misdirection by the billionaire purveyors.
It's insightful how you've drawn parallels between the strategic use of language in the tech world and its application in current political discourse. Your point about AI being a new iteration of capitalism with global reach, and the challenge it presents even to leaders like Xi Jinping, is significant.
You are right about the vulnerable workforce.
I agree AI not only mirrors but actively reshapes and scales existing injustices, these systems can seem to embody specific contemporary ideologies. Your labels for systems that prioritize the comfort of a few at the expense of many also cut to the heart of the power imbalances being discussed.
The idea that the invisibility of these issues is partly due to intentional efforts by those in power is a strong concluding thought.
"The idea that the invisibility of these issues is partly due to intentional efforts by those in power is a strong concluding thought".
And a rather terrifying one at that. Especially when those efforts are AI enhanced.
Exactly!
Every person needs to take back ownership and access control of the data. Frank McCourt with the Project Liberty/People's Internet/Frequency protocol and Tim Berners-Lee with the Solid Protocol and Inrupt corporation are leading the way to develop a viable alternative.
See https://peoples-internet.onair.cc/ for more information
AI is fast becoming the ultimate 'faceless bureaucracy' - (think of the UK. Post-Office scandal) against which one cannot argue one's case regarding an injustice of 'algorithmical-clerical-error'. The type of institutionalised-system where 'the banality of evil' finds much room to do its thing. And I agree, the book shows that the historical track-record of 'Capitalism+Technology' is more of the same. But like I commented previously, its very extremeness might be exactly what's needed to trigger a collective push-back.