Hello World: How to Be Human in the Age of the Machine
- Downloads：7628
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2021-03-05 03:18:30
- Update Date：2025-09-07
- Status：finish
- Author：Hannah Fry
- ISBN：B07D9LH143
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
- Download
Summary
A look inside the algorithms that are shaping our lives and the dilemmas they bring with them。
If you were accused of a crime， who would you rather decide your sentence—a mathematically consistent algorithm incapable of empathy or a compassionate human judge prone to bias and error？ What if you want to buy a driverless car and must choose between one programmed to save as many lives as possible and another that prioritizes the lives of its own passengers？ And would you agree to share your family’s full medical history if you were told that it would help researchers find a cure for cancer？
These are just some of the dilemmas that we are beginning to face as we approach the age of the algorithm， when it feels as if the machines reign supreme。 Already， these lines of code are telling us what to watch， where to go， whom to date， and even whom to send to jail。 But as we rely on algorithms to automate big， important decisions—in crime， justice， healthcare， transportation， and money—they raise questions about what we want our world to look like。 What matters most: Helping doctors with diagnosis or preserving privacy？ Protecting victims of crime or preventing innocent people being falsely accused？
Hello World takes us on a tour through the good， the bad， and the downright ugly of the algorithms that surround us on a daily basis。 Mathematician Hannah Fry reveals their inner workings， showing us how algorithms are written and implemented， and demonstrates the ways in which human bias can literally be written into the code。 By weaving in relatable， real world stories with accessible explanations of the underlying mathematics that power algorithms， Hello World helps us to determine their power， expose their limitations， and examine whether they really are improvement on the human systems they replace。
If you were accused of a crime， who would you rather decide your sentence—a mathematically consistent algorithm incapable of empathy or a compassionate human judge prone to bias and error？ What if you want to buy a driverless car and must choose between one programmed to save as many lives as possible and another that prioritizes the lives of its own passengers？ And would you agree to share your family’s full medical history if you were told that it would help researchers find a cure for cancer？
These are just some of the dilemmas that we are beginning to face as we approach the age of the algorithm， when it feels as if the machines reign supreme。 Already， these lines of code are telling us what to watch， where to go， whom to date， and even whom to send to jail。 But as we rely on algorithms to automate big， important decisions—in crime， justice， healthcare， transportation， and money—they raise questions about what we want our world to look like。 What matters most: Helping doctors with diagnosis or preserving privacy？ Protecting victims of crime or preventing innocent people being falsely accused？
Hello World takes us on a tour through the good， the bad， and the downright ugly of the algorithms that surround us on a daily basis。 Mathematician Hannah Fry reveals their inner workings， showing us how algorithms are written and implemented， and demonstrates the ways in which human bias can literally be written into the code。 By weaving in relatable， real world stories with accessible explanations of the underlying mathematics that power algorithms， Hello World helps us to determine their power， expose their limitations， and examine whether they really are improvement on the human systems they replace。
Reviews
Rasheed
，
"Perfect tactical play and beautiful meaningful strategies" I need these kind of algorithms in my life lol。 "Perfect tactical play and beautiful meaningful strategies" I need these kind of algorithms in my life lol。 。。。more
Tom
，
Fascinating book on the use of algorithms and data-based decision-making in our everyday lives。 Very informative and accessible， definitely recommended。 She takes us through various interdisciplinary areas where algorithms have had an impact， outlines some of the key issues with various biases， and proposes a way forward towards humans not fully trusting the algorithms but using them for more informed decision-making。 A few key passages:“It’s about asking if an algorithm is having a net benefit Fascinating book on the use of algorithms and data-based decision-making in our everyday lives。 Very informative and accessible， definitely recommended。 She takes us through various interdisciplinary areas where algorithms have had an impact， outlines some of the key issues with various biases， and proposes a way forward towards humans not fully trusting the algorithms but using them for more informed decision-making。 A few key passages:“It’s about asking if an algorithm is having a net benefit on society。 About when you should trust a machine over your own judgement， and when you should resist the temptation to leave machines in control。 It’s about breaking open the algorithms and finding their limits; and about looking hard at ourselves and finding our own。 About separating the harm from the good and deciding what kind of world we want to live in。 Because the future doesn’t just happen。 We create it。”“So， imagine for a moment: what if we accepted that perfection doesn’t exist？ Algorithms will make mistakes。 Algorithms will be unfair。 That should in no way distract us from the fight to make them more accurate and less biased wherever we can – but perhaps acknowledging that algorithms aren’t perfect， any more than humans are， might just have the effect of diminishing any assumption of their authority。”“This is the future I’m hoping for。 One where the arrogant， dictatorial algorithms that fill many of these pages are a thing of the past。 One where we stop seeing machines as objective masters and start treating them as we would any other source of power。 By questioning their decisions; scrutinizing their motives; acknowledging our emotions; demanding to know who stands to benefit; holding them accountable for their mistakes; and refusing to become complacent。 I think this is the key to a future where the net overall effect of algorithms is a positive force for society。 And it’s only right that it’s a job that rests squarely on our shoulders。 Because one thing is for sure。 In the age of the algorithm， humans have never been more important。” 。。。more
Philippe
，
I do really like the fact that， while showing the potential issues with the algorithms， she also points the issues without them。As biased as the algorithms can be， handling the same tasks with only humans in the loop not only is as subject to biases （in different ways）， but much less reliable most of the time。 The main problem with the bias of algorithms is the black box effect due to proprietary ownership and lack of accountability when algorithms go wrong。The idea of combining algorithms and h I do really like the fact that， while showing the potential issues with the algorithms， she also points the issues without them。As biased as the algorithms can be， handling the same tasks with only humans in the loop not only is as subject to biases （in different ways）， but much less reliable most of the time。 The main problem with the bias of algorithms is the black box effect due to proprietary ownership and lack of accountability when algorithms go wrong。The idea of combining algorithms and humans is probably the best way to go。 With a bit more transparency。 。。。more
Zuhaib Ahmad
，
This book discusses the current usage （and not the mechanics） of algorithms in various fields with a very balanced analysis of their benefits and shortcomings。 While most of the stories quoted in the book may come off as repetitive for anyone who has read similar books in the past （AI Superpowers， Perfect Weapon， Surveillance Valley etc）， the overall content is pretty good。 Though nothing groundbreaking for those into tech。
John Owen
，
Finished reading Hannah Fry’s Hello World， a splendidly informative book about data and algorithms and the role they have come to play in modern life。 Fry’s clear exposition of the way algorithms collate and control the data that the state and private companies hold on us all， and how that information is used for better or for worse， is both fascinating and alarming in equal measure。 She also provides an understanding of the problems involved in our increasing dependency on such mechanisms and e Finished reading Hannah Fry’s Hello World， a splendidly informative book about data and algorithms and the role they have come to play in modern life。 Fry’s clear exposition of the way algorithms collate and control the data that the state and private companies hold on us all， and how that information is used for better or for worse， is both fascinating and alarming in equal measure。 She also provides an understanding of the problems involved in our increasing dependency on such mechanisms and even points out a way forward， by making the workings of the algorithms more transparent and more challengeable。 。。。more
Maximiliano Contreras
，
This is a book for the general public。In this context is quite remarkable， I have enjoyed it a lot reading it （is well written）。 As any mathematician， starts with definitions。 Simple， understandable and useful。Then she delves into 6 topics: Power， Data， Justice， Medicine， Cars， Crime and Art。 For each one discuss pros and cons， in the light of known and not so known examples from the real life （they are not examples from a ML or DL book） and scientific research。 Also includes interviews with man This is a book for the general public。In this context is quite remarkable， I have enjoyed it a lot reading it （is well written）。 As any mathematician， starts with definitions。 Simple， understandable and useful。Then she delves into 6 topics: Power， Data， Justice， Medicine， Cars， Crime and Art。 For each one discuss pros and cons， in the light of known and not so known examples from the real life （they are not examples from a ML or DL book） and scientific research。 Also includes interviews with many people involved in the events or the research。The references are extensive and （the ones that I tested） check out。 I do not like internet articles as references but that is just my taste。 。。。more
Hamdy Ahmed
，
Very thorough book on the history and current status of algorithms control on us。 Eye opener for the idea of trying to find the balance point in our relationship with algorithms that surrounding us in every step and with every click。 Algorithms are becoming indeed part of our life but shouldn't control it。 Very thorough book on the history and current status of algorithms control on us。 Eye opener for the idea of trying to find the balance point in our relationship with algorithms that surrounding us in every step and with every click。 Algorithms are becoming indeed part of our life but shouldn't control it。 。。。more
Abhishek
，
Love it！Being a guy who follows tech 24x7 I had a pretty good idea how algorithms are a centre of most of the things now。 But the insights along with small stories that the author has included made it a joyful read。
Wendy Wei
，
Absolutely loved this！ Hannah Fry is not only an expert in her field but is able to articulate her knowledge in a concise and entertaining way。 She covers an array of real world examples and supports all her claims with well researched facts。 Highly recommend for everyone to read as we move forward into a world living with advanced algorithms。
Ada Wojciechowska
，
Hannah Fry has a new fan😅😅
Kryštof Kohout
，
An interesting read on the various ways technology affects our lives， and the caveats the ubiquitous algorithms have。
John
，
Algorithms are determining more of our lives than we think， and gaining more control every day。 It is therefore essential that we understand what this means。 This book is the best starting point that I can imagine。 Fry is a mathematician， but there's no mathematics here， it is more a book about ethics。It is well-researched & referenced but with a chatty style that will be recognisable to anyone who knows her from TV or radio。 She expresses personal opinions and uses personal anecdote on occasion Algorithms are determining more of our lives than we think， and gaining more control every day。 It is therefore essential that we understand what this means。 This book is the best starting point that I can imagine。 Fry is a mathematician， but there's no mathematics here， it is more a book about ethics。It is well-researched & referenced but with a chatty style that will be recognisable to anyone who knows her from TV or radio。 She expresses personal opinions and uses personal anecdote on occasion， striking the right balance between an accessible style and objectivity。A must-read overview of one of the most important things happening right now。 。。。more
Thuy Phan
，
Điều đầu tiên là người dịch cuốn sách này quá tệ， câu chữ lủng củng， không khác gì dùng Google Translate dịch rồi copy nguyên văn vào cuốn sách。 Đây là điểm trừ rất lớn， ảnh hưởng đến trải nghiệm đọc sách khủng khiếp。Về cuốn sách， tác giả viết về ảnh hưởng của thuật toán lên 7 lĩnh vực: quyền lực， dữ liệu， tư pháp， y học， ô tô， tội phạm， nghệ thuật。 Cách triển khai của tác giả là thu thập 1 số ví dụ sử dụng thuật toán điển hình， kể về ưu và nhược điểm khi sử dụng hay phụ thuộc vào thuật toán。 Cá Điều đầu tiên là người dịch cuốn sách này quá tệ， câu chữ lủng củng， không khác gì dùng Google Translate dịch rồi copy nguyên văn vào cuốn sách。 Đây là điểm trừ rất lớn， ảnh hưởng đến trải nghiệm đọc sách khủng khiếp。Về cuốn sách， tác giả viết về ảnh hưởng của thuật toán lên 7 lĩnh vực: quyền lực， dữ liệu， tư pháp， y học， ô tô， tội phạm， nghệ thuật。 Cách triển khai của tác giả là thu thập 1 số ví dụ sử dụng thuật toán điển hình， kể về ưu và nhược điểm khi sử dụng hay phụ thuộc vào thuật toán。 Các ví dụ được phân tích sơ lược， không đi sâu về kỹ thuật， không có nhiều thông tin mới lạ （tất cả đều có thể tìm thấy trên Internet）。 Tác giả hy vọng một tương lai người và máy kết hợp， con người sử dụng thuật toán với tâm trí luôn đặt ra nghi vấn cho những thông tin， kết quả thuật toán mang lại。 。。。more
Joana
，
Gruselig gut。
Sarah Starr
，
Super accessible book with good examples of data and AI applications and concepts。
Johanna Koski
，
very interesting and enlightning book about different ways that algorithms are been used。
Indra
，
An introductory analysis on how the current influence of AI interferes with policies and decisions， the best approach would be a collaborative one with conscious humans using AI as an aid rather than the ultimatum， per say obvious。
valixt
，
Not radical enough
John Erik Setsaas
，
Nice and easy read on algorithms， with plenty of examples of algorithms gone wrong。 And right。My favorite quote from the book:«Although AI has come on in leaps and bounds of late， it is still only ‘intelligent’ in the narrowest sense of the word。 It would probably be more useful to think of what we’ve been through as a revolution in computational statistics than a revolution in intelligence。 I know that makes it sound a lot less sexy （unless you’re really into statistics）， but it’s a far more ac Nice and easy read on algorithms， with plenty of examples of algorithms gone wrong。 And right。My favorite quote from the book:«Although AI has come on in leaps and bounds of late， it is still only ‘intelligent’ in the narrowest sense of the word。 It would probably be more useful to think of what we’ve been through as a revolution in computational statistics than a revolution in intelligence。 I know that makes it sound a lot less sexy （unless you’re really into statistics）， but it’s a far more accurate description of how things currently stand。»From now on I will always hear «computational statistics» when somebody says AI。 。。。more
Clare Russell
，
‘Among all of the staggeringly impressive， mind-boggling things that data and statistics can tell me， how it feels to be human isn’t one of them’ Fry argues that we tend towards polar views when it comes to algorithms and their role shaping our lives - either we trust it uncritically， or we seize examples of where it has gone wrong and lose any trust at all。 Instead， she argues that humans can make powerful interventions and use the information algorithms give us with a critical eye。More hopeful ‘Among all of the staggeringly impressive， mind-boggling things that data and statistics can tell me， how it feels to be human isn’t one of them’ Fry argues that we tend towards polar views when it comes to algorithms and their role shaping our lives - either we trust it uncritically， or we seize examples of where it has gone wrong and lose any trust at all。 Instead， she argues that humans can make powerful interventions and use the information algorithms give us with a critical eye。More hopeful than most books I have read on this subject， and an easy， pacy read。 。。。more
Mairead
，
Wow， incredible！
Jill
，
Although this didn't really deliver what I expected （namely a layman's explanation of how algorithms are formed） - I did find alot of valuable information just the same。 I enjoyed the way the author organized the information， and all of the real-world examples and issues that surround this topic。 There were so many things I never expected - like the great description of all of the issues with getting a self-driving car to work the way we need it to。 There were a few main takeaways for me:-We rel Although this didn't really deliver what I expected （namely a layman's explanation of how algorithms are formed） - I did find alot of valuable information just the same。 I enjoyed the way the author organized the information， and all of the real-world examples and issues that surround this topic。 There were so many things I never expected - like the great description of all of the issues with getting a self-driving car to work the way we need it to。 There were a few main takeaways for me:-We rely on algorithms in so many unexpected places， without necessarily realizing that's what we're doing。- Getting algorithms to work autonomously may not be the solution we need。 - Maybe the answer isn't getting machines to work without human intervention; but rather using the machines to enhance humans performance in ways that they are best suited to do so。 This gave me hope that we should not be worried about being replaced by machines， as long as we are diligent in working With the machines and not letting them replace us。 Although it seems easier to let someone else do the work for us， and just use the "answer key" so to speak， we will do ourselves （and future humanity） a huge favor by taking a moment to understand why the machines gave the answers they did， and apply context to those results。 。。。more
Matthew Rowe
，
Really liked this。 What I found most interesting though was that it mentioned a finding from a project I worked on for a previous employer （fennel purchasing being indicative of shopper wealth）。
S
，
A good short book about algorithms and more specifically automation and artificial intelligence in our daily lives。 From courts to police to planes to cars to chess to city planning this book is wide ranging， well written， and interesting。 I was hoping it would get more into social media AI but it didn’t alas。 Still it was a good pop sci book super relevant to the times we are in
Simon Piman
，
Funny， fascinating and mind blowing in places。 Well worth a read and a delve into the world of algorithms。 How they can positively affect our lives and detrimentally affect others。 Positive and negative impacts。 Most important is not to forget the human impact and how key that is in human / algorithmic interactions
R H
，
Fluidly written， so easy to read and crystal clear in its explanations of some of the trickiest ethical questions surrounding algorithms and how we use them。 I especially enjoyed the descriptions of why a self-driving car is so difficult to create。
Danick Wiberg
，
Excellent book that goes into the dilemmas when working with algorithms。 Which area can they help， how much should they help， what are their weaknesses and strengths and how can they compliment human weakness and strengths。I really enjoyed the book， and everything is explained not in the math （exactly） of how it works， but what it does and what the consequences are。 You don't need much understanding of computers to follow the book， but experience with humans is a plus。 Excellent book that goes into the dilemmas when working with algorithms。 Which area can they help， how much should they help， what are their weaknesses and strengths and how can they compliment human weakness and strengths。I really enjoyed the book， and everything is explained not in the math （exactly） of how it works， but what it does and what the consequences are。 You don't need much understanding of computers to follow the book， but experience with humans is a plus。 。。。more
Lucy
，
"In the age of algorithms， humans have never been more important。"There's no question as to the profound impact automation has had on our lives。 On the flip side of that， however， algorithms have left us with range of problems such as privacy， bias， error， to name a few。 The problem often lies in that we are instructed by algorthms; not suppported by them。 We seem relucatant to question the power of an algorithm and how it reached its conclusion。Fry provides a range of examples where automation "In the age of algorithms， humans have never been more important。"There's no question as to the profound impact automation has had on our lives。 On the flip side of that， however， algorithms have left us with range of problems such as privacy， bias， error， to name a few。 The problem often lies in that we are instructed by algorthms; not suppported by them。 We seem relucatant to question the power of an algorithm and how it reached its conclusion。Fry provides a range of examples where automation has greatly improved our lives （e。g。， screening for breast cancer）， whilst also pointing out the disadvantages （e。g。， pilots "trained" under autopilot）。This book was very easy to follow and so much fun to read。 。。。more
Chaitali Narla
，
Some agreements and some disagreementsI really enjoyed this book for the wide variety of algorithm applications it showed！ As a software engineer， I loved seeing a layman's overview of how algorithms are useful in so many fields。I disagree with the author's viewpoint in several places though。 Especially when it came to choices of not using algorithms。I was also surprised to see no reference to some things I expected to find in the book。 Like Asimov's laws of robotics or a reference to Star Trek Some agreements and some disagreementsI really enjoyed this book for the wide variety of algorithm applications it showed！ As a software engineer， I loved seeing a layman's overview of how algorithms are useful in so many fields。I disagree with the author's viewpoint in several places though。 Especially when it came to choices of not using algorithms。I was also surprised to see no reference to some things I expected to find in the book。 Like Asimov's laws of robotics or a reference to Star Trek Lt。 Cmd。 Data in the art chapter or even the Coded Bias studies and documentary in the crime chapter。 If I read this book with a book club， I look forward to discussing these connections in the book context！Overall a great read！ 。。。more
Jessica
，