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How the rise of computerized decision-making affects every aspect of business and daily life
These days, high-level tasks—such as diagnosing an illness or interpreting legal documents—are increasingly being handled by algorithms that can do precise work with speed and nuance.
In this fascinating book, Steiner tells the story of how algorithms took over and shows why the “bot revolution” is about to spill into every aspect of our lives. We meet bots that are driving cars, penning haikus, and writing music mistaken for Bach’s. They listen in on customer service calls and figure out what Iran would do in the event of a nuclear standoff.
But what will the world look like when algorithms control our hospitals, our roads, and our national security? And what role will be left for doctors, lawyers, writers, truck drivers, and many others?
Introduction 1
1 Wall Street, The First Domino 11
2 A Brief History of Man and Algorithms 53
3 The Bot Top 40 75
4 The Secret Highways of Bots 112
5 Gaming the System 126
6 Paging Dr. Bot 146
7 Categorizing Humankind 163
8 Wall Street Versus Silicon Valley 184
9 Wall Sreet's Loss is a Gain for the Rest of us 198
10 The Future Belongs to the Algorithms and their Creators 212
Acknowledgments 221
Notes 227
Index 235
Anonymous
Posted December 30, 2012
I really wanted this book to have more technical depth to it, something I could use as a lead to dig deeper on my own. It seemed almost superficial in places. And the conclusions are little more than suppositions.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 22, 2012
Christopher Steiner's book will show you in an easily and enjoyably read series of chapters not only how algorithms have come to rule much of our world but also will leave you questioning the ramifications for society's future.
On the individual level, if you haven't really experienced trying to write computer code you should. Try it; the phrase "computer literacy" and "Automate This" will take on a dauntingly totally new and threatening meaning.
On the societal level the ability to address immensely complex problems carries with it the benefits and dangers of any new technology. It is probably safe to assume that much of the "chatter" we hear about as giving warnings of terrorist activities has been discovered by algorithms patiently listening for and discerning certain patterns of words and connections. That effect of the use of "bots" is beneficial. But if the housing crisis was partly due to the misapplication of algorithms in pursuit of profit very many people would find that effect dangerous in the extreme.
A final thought: How many University departments of Computer Science require students to successfully take courses in ethics and civics to graduate?
Overview
How the rise of computerized decision-making affects every aspect of business and daily life
These days, high-level tasks—such as diagnosing an illness or interpreting legal documents—are increasingly being handled by algorithms that can do precise work with speed and nuance.
In this fascinating book, Steiner tells the story of how algorithms took over and shows...