Reading List

Just came across this extensive reading list curated by Dagmar Monett - arch AI critic amongst other things. I haven't read all of them but looking at those I have it definitely looks like something worth exploring.

Also makes me wonder what AI critical book would stand out as the thing to recommend to someone just starting to explore the topic? I think a lot of the more academic stuff is immediately out, not that it's not great but still - not always the easiest things to step into. Enshittification by Cory Doctorow seems to have been a hit and, while I'm a bit cynical about his recommendations, it does offer an easy problematisation of the tech industry, AI included. Books like Algorithms of Resistance (Bonini & Treré) and Technocolonialism (Madianou) are also good for case studies so, while they do reflect deeper research, they might be a way in for people who want the ground level examples too. Dan McQuillan's Resistining AI could also be a halfway point for people, especially those coming in with an existing political knowledge base. Blood in the Machine by Brian Merchant is another very readable option, using the Luddites to frame modern struggles... So it's not like there aren't a lot of options (Empire of AI by Karen Hao and Attensity! also deserve a mention) but yeah, not quite sure what the one would be.

Anyway, Dagmar's reading list looks like a great resource if you're looking to pick up a book. Or have AI summarise one for you of course...