The Tyranny of Algorithms: Freedom, Democracy, and the Challenge of AI

by Miguale Benasayag, Steven Rendall (Translation)

AI, artificial intelligence, poses a great risk to democracy.

Miguel Benasayag, a philosopher and psychoanalyst, warns of the great risk posed by big data and algorithms deciding the direction of the world. This book explores the relationship between human beings and machines and the impact the digital world has on our society. The author argues that leaders have delegated decision making to AI and large companies, financial markets, and states, are now subject to the decisions made by machines.

AI is here and the question reflected on is how to exist as human beings, individually, socially and collectively, in a world governed in large measure by algorithms.

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy, Theory, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Science

128 pages, Paperback

Published May 18, 2021

Reviews

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick but dense read that covers a lot of ground while circling the point. It's framed as an interview with Benasayag, and while his answers are obviously edited, the overall throughthread rambles -- a lot -- around philosophy, history, politics, religion, and, yeah, AI, but the interlocutor frequently has to bring the conversation back on track (whether that's a literary device or not, unsure, but it's weird). There's a lot of name-dropping, and unlike the excellent Hyperobjects , it's not really worth having Wikipedia open to get the context -- these are throwaway references that add just the littlest drops of context to the overall argument.

Speaking of that overall argument, because that's kind of the point -- this is a book that works for the choir. In the "preaching to 'em" sense, that is -- if you already see AI as a concerning, damaging creation that is going largely unchecked, you'll likely get a fair bit out of this book. There are interesting comments about what diversity means in the face of abstraction, and the importance of conflict in a democracy (which, Benasayag argues, we ain't livin' in). But the politics of this book are pretty much aligned with mine, as well as the general negative take on AI, and while I found a lot of good kernels and thoughts, it's not going to convince anyone on the other end of either spectrum. And that's who needs convincing right now, from inside all the tech companies: little flags that can take on typically massive tech bro egos. It's a huge ask. Benasayag doesn't even attempt it, but he produces something thought-provoking and interesting -- albeit one-sided, meandering, and a little ~tra la la~ -- that is certainly worth reading.

While I liked this a fair bit, I'd really like to see a book that breaks down AI and critiques it in a way that tech bros can a) understand and b) see as beneficial to their own projects. It's possible. Candidly, it better be: otherwise we're all fucked. Drop a rec if you've come across anything like that. And everyone in tech/government/whatever -- you better be calling out your superiors on their choices with algorithms wherever you possibly and safely can, because we are not heading in the right direction on this one.

[Ceallaigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

“In my view, situational action against the colonization of the living being by the machine—and not against the machine itself—has to be transgressive. We must develop sites of dysfunctionality…
A certain way of using the machine has colonized us, and now it's up to us to construct experiences and practices of hybridization with technology that respect the singularity of the living being and of culture.”

This was a challenging but informative & thought-provoking read. I was particularly excited about seeing how the value of being present & the idea of “pulling on your own thread” played into Benasayag’s conclusions. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy dense philosophical discussions on questions of a sociopolitical & human behavioral nature, as well as themes of technological development, individual agency, & collective responsibility.

Click here to read my full review of THE TYRANNY OF ALGORITHMS complete with my full thoughts, further reading suggestions, & more of my favorite quotes, notes, & annotations!

★ ★ ★ ★ .5

CW // brief mention of holocaust & gen/cide

[Chris Via]

Review forthcoming in Rain Taxi Review of Books .

[Varun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read in the form of a Q&A (or sort of transcribed podcast interview) highlighting the arc of philosophical discussion around AI and its impact on our thinking about humanity and what it means to exist. The typical distinction between the phenomenological and the functional. What does AGI mean when we get there? Post-human/Trans-human to post-democracy. Interesting viewpoints - reads more like a polemic which is good versus offering an objective take in philosophy which can turn into a slumber fest. Thankfully, its too small a volume to do that.
Been reading the book God, Human, Animal, Machine by Meghan O'Gieblyn at the same time which explores similar themes but more from a theological construct (its categorized as religious writing).

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the discussion about the end of rationalism and it's attempted resurrection. very much puts current ideologies of technology in perspective. I think there wasn't much exploration of the Tyranny of Algorithms, like real ways the actually are controlling us now. It all seemed a bit based in likely futures and an assumed understanding. I also found the discussing of what we can do really powerful. Basically ignore the future, don't look for a long term strategy but multiply sites of resistance wherever you can.

[Mariam Younes · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's this huge drive in me not to put any star review to this book as to not ignore the complexity of reviewing books and adding stars but man, what a book, the whole idea that it is actually the dark times and being able to directly see the effects of everything being said, frightening.

[yul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deep, required a second read.

[☾⋆｡ A °✩.⟡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The idea of setting it out as an interview was cool but it did mean it kept going all over the place with the discussion

[Tonmai Cheewasutthanon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye-opening, thoughtful and scary lol. Taught me more about humans and myself than I ever could.

[jo 💫 · Rating 1 out of 5]

not sure how the preface managed to be the best part of this. also fully lost any trust in the author when he claimed to be part of the anti-psychiatrist movement.

[bookishlimitless · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, imagine entering a constructive criticism thread with sprinkles of AI systems taking the lead stage to create an impact? This book elaborates how AI systems increasingly dictate choices in health, education, and justice. The narrative is conversational in essence with anthropologist Regis Meyran insight on the promise of “Transhumanism” world domination. This statement is striking “algorithms don’t understand meaning they only calculate correlations.” Benasayag warns of a world where human complexity is reduced to data, arguing that “the real danger is not in machines becoming like humans, but humans becoming like machines. But also he contends that the answer isn’t to completely reject advanced technologies and digital systems, but rather to find new ways of integrating them that prioritize human needs, physical experiences, and emotional well-being. Then, do algorithms work in shaping the human life? So yes, not always visibly, but powerfully. Algorithms influence everything from what news you see and what ads you’re shown, to how job applications are filtered and how risk is assessed in criminal justice or healthcare. My ratings for this book is 4 out of 5 for insightful critique, dense and philosophical style and limited practical solutions.