Code Dependent

Longlisted for the Women's Prize for Non-Fiction 2024, Code Dependent by Madhumita Murgia is a thought-provoking exploration of the profound impact artificial intelligence (AI) has on our lives and society. Delving deep into the essence of human experience amid the rapid technological advancements, this compelling work unravels the complexities of automated decision-making and its far-reaching consequences on human behaviour and freedom.

Through meticulous research and captivating storytelling, Murgia brings to light the voices of ordinary people in regions far removed from the technological epicentres of Silicon Valley. These intimate narratives reveal the often flawed and exploitative nature of AI technologies, challenging our perception of free will and agency. As she weaves through various real-life accounts, Murgia illustrates the myriad ways in which AI reshapes our individual and collective identities.

Madhumita Murgia, an acclaimed AI Editor at the Financial Times, fearlessly exposes the perils of relinquishing control to autonomous systems. Rather than presenting a dystopian future of machine dominance, she provides a nuanced and balanced understanding of how AI intertwines with human existence. With each story, she underscores the urgency of reclaiming our humanity in an era drastically altered by code and algorithms.

Code Dependent is not just a cautionary tale but a revelatory work that challenges readers to contemplate the ethical dimensions of AI. It explores what it means to be human amidst a technological revolution that demands our attention and action. Murgia's expert blend of journalistic rigour and narrative flair ensures the book is both accessible and profoundly insightful.

"Code Dependent is the intimate investigation of AI that we've been waiting for, and it arrives not a moment too soon." - Shoshana Zuboff, author of The Age of Surveillance Capitalism

"Murgia combines her deep experience of the last decade in technology with incredible storytelling, and the result is a nuanced, thoughtful and very accessible picture of a world deeply affected by AI." - Martha Lane Fox

"Brilliant storytelling. Books about AI often put the tech centre stage, but Murgia makes you, the human, the hero and sadly often the victim in this fascinating collection of stories about the impact of code on our future." - Marcus du Sautoy, author of The Creativity Code