As a Millennial I’ve been through a lot of technological change in my lifetime. I can remember a world without the Internet and now it is ingrained into every process of my day. I’ve seen lots of disruptive technology hit the market. I’ve seen something new take its place. Technology has changed just about every aspect of my life from health care to music to education. AI seemed poised to be the next biggest shift, and as a mom, librarian, citizen, and every other title I possess, I want to understand it.

Lucky for me there are lots of books being published about AI. Code Dependent caught my eye because it was shortlisted for the inaugural Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction. I can see why. Code Dependent does not require much of you to understand the complexities and implications of artificial intelligence. This is a book about the human side of AI.

One of the aspects I liked most about Code Dependent is that the author, journalist Madhumita Murgia, spends a lot of time outside of Silicon Valley talking to people whose lives are already being impacted by AI. She travels to developing countries where companies rely on gig workers to train their AI and machine learning products. She also talks to doctors, bankers, teachers, and others whose industries are already seeing changes. Murgia asks tough questions about the ethics and far reaching societal implications of AI. Like any tool there is the potential for good and the potential for harm.

Code Dependent explores the complex relationship between humans and the algorithms that increasingly govern our lives. The book breaks down how deeply technology has become intertwined with our daily routines, from social media feeds to job searches, and how our growing reliance on code shapes society in ways we may not fully understand.

The author's skill in explaining complex concepts in a clear, engaging manner is a standout feature of the book. This makes it accessible to all readers, regardless of their technical background. It’s a blend of informative and eye-opening, revealing how algorithms influence everything from the news we see to the opportunities we’re presented with. The book also thoughtfully examines the ethical implications of our increasing reliance on these systems, particularly how bias can be embedded and disproportionately affect marginalized groups.

One of the book’s strengths is its ability to balance technical depth with real-world examples, helping readers grasp algorithms' power and potential dangers. The writing is sharp and direct, often prompting reflection on how much control we’ve surrendered to the invisible systems that shape our choices and behaviors.

Overall, Code Dependent is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, society, and ethics. It’s a timely and thought-provoking exploration of how our reliance on algorithms is shaping the future, for better or worse, and is particularly relevant to current societal issues.

I was excited for this one from the start and it did not disappoint. A knowledgeable tech writer’s exploration of “AI” (I especially love the resigned acceptance that we’re stuck with that term now despite its inaccuracy toward the end) that should be required reading for anyone who tosses the term around or believes anything they read in the “summary” on Google or Facebook.

The book’s purpose isn’t to criticize applied statistics in any and all forms - it’s to point out that there is nothing magical or sentient about Artificial Intelligence, that it amplifies the biases of any algorithm’s creators, and that the implications of its applications have generally not been fully explored prior to it’s implementation. The case studies are eye opening even for those of us who have previously questioned practices such as stealing and regurgitating artistic and literary works, the shift to the gig economy etc.

Seriously - whatever you think you know about AI, read this. Then make your parents and/or kids read it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Great book covering current topics in AI and algorithms and looking at social implications.. This books gives a broad enough overview for a general reader, but is still appropriate for academic audiences. It provides a lot of content for reflection and discussion.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC (in audiobook format).

“Code Dependent: Living in the Shadow of AI” by Madhumita Murgia is a thought-provoking exploration of the increasingly intertwined relationship between humans and artificial intelligence. Murgia, the author and narrator, brings a personal touch to the audiobook, guiding listeners through a journey that is informative and introspective.

The book delves into the ethical and societal implications of AI, questioning the balance between technological advancement and the preservation of human autonomy. Murgia’s narrative is rich with anecdotes and interviews, painting a vivid picture of a world where AI is not just a tool but a pervasive presence, influencing every aspect of our lives.

What sets this book apart is Murgia’s ability to humanize the AI debate. She doesn’t just present facts; she invites readers to consider their own place in a future dominated by algorithms. The book urges us to take an active role in shaping the development of AI to ensure it serves humanity rather than subjugates it.

The production quality of the audiobook is excellent, with Murgia’s clear and engaging voice adding depth to the content. The pacing is well-measured, allowing listeners to absorb the complex topics discussed.

“Code Dependent” is a must-read (or listen) for anyone interested in the future of AI and its impact on society. Murgia’s insightful commentary makes for an enlightening experience that is standout addition to the genre, offering a unique perspective that is both critical and hopeful. Rating: 4.5/5 🌟

Seems heavy on the risks and doomsday of AI before getting into that there are many potentially life-changing positive aspects. I'd have preferred a note, in the beginning, saying that there are both life-saving, world-changing for the better, and horrid world-harming consequences. At first, I thought the entire book was going to be on the risks and the bad things making me read it angrily as I was thinking about the potential of AI for medicine and healthcare. I'm glad it eventually got there.

I wanted to read this because AI is starting to creep in everywhere. When I read articles they are too detailed for me to understand. I was hesitant to read this but gave it a try.

The narrator is clear and easy to listen to. The book was written with global stories that made AI an easy to understand topic by sharing the human side. It helped me understand the positive and negative of AI. The emotional understanding this book gives helps me tie the technology side which makes me want to know more. For me it’s easier to tie a data story in the back to a technical situation. This book was a great stepping stone into understanding AI basics.

Medical, security, food delivery, security, facial recognition, driving a car… it’s everywhere but it can’t “think” or analyze without humans behind the scenes. As AI grows the book demonstrated the importance to monitor software that makes decisions and apply ethics rules up front.

"Code Dependent: Living in the Shadow of AI" by Madhumita Murgia
Audiobook publishing date: 6/18/2024
Narrated by the Author

I was very excited to listen to this audiobook, knowing that it was one of the finalists for the inaugural Women's Prize for Nonfiction. I heard very high praise getting into it. I ended up reading/listening to four out of six finalists, and this is my favorite of the four I read.

The author is a scientific journalist who is investigating the effects of AI in the modern society. Her stories are fascinating, at times infuriating, and at times frightening. AI penetrates our lives, for better or for worse, and our world has been changing very quickly. She writes about some unexpected consequences of AI lives from all over the world. She makes it very approachable and relevant. I found her stories easy to follow and interesting. I would love to read more books from this author in future.

An early copy of this audiobook was provided courtesy of Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, and the author for review purposes. My opinions are my own.

With so many people excited about so-called AI, this is a very important addition to the conversation. In clear, accessible language, this book explores what it actually is and what it costs to create and trust it.

I listened to the audiobook with the author as narrator and it was truly interesting. I think the author did a great job narrating the book. This book is about how AI is slowly changing our world and how it is impacting people in all corners of the globe. I wasn't sure what to expect, and it was pleasantly enjoyable. I learned a lot about AI, and it wasn't like reading a textbook,

This book is extremely eye-opening, and provides a lot of interesting ideas I think could provide ample discussion with students. Murgia looks at how AI is created, who is used to create it, and then who is effected by its use. It is extremely exhausting and frustrating, to say the least. I have taken a lot out of this book that I have used in discussions amongst friends in the harms of an over reliance on AI. It actually provided some great ideas to share with a friend who was writing a paper for a class about AI in film. While I don't know that I would purchase the audiobook for our library, the physical book would be a great addition.

Thank you to NetGalley for an audio ARC.

Code Dependent was upsetting, informative, and interesting. I found this book to be a perfect merging of research based evidence with qualitative storytelling to illicit understanding. Unfortunately, this book has made me far for leery of AI and it's future impacts, but I am grateful to know more.

I'm so grateful to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. for providing me with an ARC. I was granted an audio ARC, and I think that listening to this, especially during the stories told by people impacted by AI, made this book all the more impactful. The narration is very well done.

This book does a fabulous job about discussing the unintended consequences of AI. Its impacts for reaching. The author discusses the gig economy, facial recognition, what social media sites have to do to control violence and pornography and others. She gives examples throughout the world. I listen to the audiobook, and I thought the narration was excellent. It is easy to understand and well paced. I strongly recommend this book. 4.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the advanced readers copy.

Easy to digest, well-written (not surprising as the author is a journalist), and thought-provoking. She did a fairly good job of staying objective and balanced on the subject, focussing more on the global concerns about AI than the benefits. There are indeed lots of challenges ahead as AI becomes ubiquitous and impossible to avoid.

Well done as an audio book.

I enjoyed this book, looking at an overview of how practical applications of AI in the world has affected people for better or worse (mostly worse). Obviously there is potential there, but caveats. One part that really stuck with me is how calling this technology AI is really a misnomer, when it's just sophisticated statistical calculations, and not at all "intelligence". Highly recommend if you are looking for writing on AI that takes it out of the potential and into the reality.

This book is about how AI is slowly changing our world and how it is impacting people in all corners of the globe. This book is much more on the human side of AI rather than the technological side, a side that is increasingly forgotten as Silicon Valley advertises how AI can "change the world." As someone who is not interested in the techy side of tech, this book was written in an understandable away, and I think it is easy to read without a strong background in AI and technology.

This book is extremely eye opening, and only adds to my list of reasons why I'm exhausted by the race to an AI-centered world. Murgia looks at how AI is created, who is used to create it, and then who is effected by its use. It is extremely exhausting and frustrating, to say the least. To be honest, I DNFed this book about 60% in, purely because I am so tired of AI being absolutely everywhere, and its use has so many depressing and angering unintended effects. This book will anger you, and it is meant to. The author does her job, and I do not fault her for me choosing not to finish it. I have taken a lot out of this book that I have used in discussions amongst friends in the harms of an over reliance on AI.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

𝑪𝒐𝒅𝒆 𝑫𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕: 𝑳𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒘 𝒐𝒇 𝑨𝑰 𝒃𝒚 𝑴𝒂𝒅𝒉𝒖𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒂 𝑴𝒖𝒓𝒈𝒊𝒂
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
📖 𝘛𝘰 𝘉𝘦 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘑𝘶𝘯𝘦 18 𝘣𝘺 𝘏𝘦𝘯𝘳𝘺 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘰.
🎧 𝘈𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘔𝘢𝘤𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘰

There is a new subgenre of non-fiction I have officially claimed: books written by journalists. They find such interesting and necessary stories, and are able to tell them from an objective standpoint. They can share an incredibly informative narrative without feeling like a textbook. Code Dependent is a perfect example of this.
 
While this book discusses topics directly and tangentially related to artificial intelligence, it does so by interviewing real people (namely women and minorities) to discuss various topics:
 
𝑶𝒖𝒕𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑻𝒆𝒄𝒉 𝑱𝒐𝒃𝒔
👍🏻The Good: Introducing digital literacy to communities that would not otherwise have access, educational opportunities.
👎🏻The Bad: Outsourcing trauma-inducing content moderation jobs to North African and Middle Eastern that can break a person’s spirit.
 
𝑭𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
👍🏻The Good: Finding kidnapped children using age progression technology, and trafficked children using makeup removal filters
👎🏻The Bad: Governmental monitoring of citizens, such as the social credit system in China
 
𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐/𝑽𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒐 𝑪𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
👍🏻The Good: CGI in movies (could prevent another Alec Baldwin situation, for example)
👎🏻The Bad: Deepfake porn. Enough said.
 
𝑻𝒆𝒄𝒉𝒏𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 𝑨𝒅𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕
👍🏻The Good: Radiological evaluations of BIPOC patients using raw medical imaging to reduce systemic racism by trained doctors.
👎🏻The Bad: UberFoods shortchanging the paychecks of (often disadvantaged) drivers due to ever-changing variables that AI couldn’t possibly keep up with.

This is not just a book about AI. This a book is about our inevitable future as AI becomes more and more integrated here and around the world.

I recommend this book to anybody interested in topics related to disenfranchised communities, racism, & social commentary!

An engaging and accessible human-centered look at emerging AI technologies that I will be recommending to everyone.

An accessible, yet gutting insight into one of the buzziest topics that has taken over the cultural zeitgeist. CODE DEPENDENT brings together a plethora of aspects of our lives and culture that AI influences, and, indeed, often damages and endangers.

A super interesting read! I very much appreciate looking at technology and AI through the lens of colonialism.

I was worried I did not know enough about these fields to understand, but the writing is super clear and drills down to the most salient points rather than getting bogged down by the tech. I recommend it for pretty much everyone. Given the state of things, the more people who know what we’re dealing with, the better.

This is probably the most important book that I've read about AI, and definitely the most compelling look at the interplay of technology and society. The author gives faces and bodies to the nebulous ideas of "tech exploitation" and provides granular details of the ways that we are allowing tech companies to gather insidious amounts and types of data about us. She is clearly not anti-tech nor anti-AI, but rather offers a clear picture of existing and emerging social implications and problems and calls wider society into action to demand a better way. Really engaging and informative.