The Equality Machine

Harnessing Digital Technology for a Brighter, More Inclusive Future

De: Orly Lobel

Narrado por: Dominique Dibbell

At a time when AI and digital platforms are under fire, Orly Lobel, a renowned tech policy scholar, defends technology as a powerful tool we can harness to achieve equality and a better future.

Much has been written about the challenges tech presents to equality and democracy. But we can either criticize big data and automation or steer it to do better. Lobel makes a compelling argument that while we cannot stop technological development, we can direct its course according to our most fundamental values.

With provocative insights in every chapter, Lobel masterfully shows that digital technology frequently has a comparative advantage over humans in detecting discrimination, correcting historical exclusions, subverting long-standing stereotypes, and addressing the world’s thorniest problems: climate, poverty, injustice, literacy, accessibility, speech, health, and safety.

Lobel's vivid examples—from labor markets to dating markets—provide powerful evidence for how we can harness technology for good. The book’s incisive analysis and elegant storytelling will change the debate about technology and restore human agency over our values.

©2022 Orly Lobel (P)2022 PublicAffairs

Enlightening peek into the future

This book doesn’t sidestep the tough AI and robotics equality issues we are facing today and likely will in the future. It provides not only hope but a call to action for ensuring bias is called out and our diverse voices are heard. I recommended to colleagues interested in AI ethics and those advocating for women in STEM and entrepreneurship.

intended audience seems rather narrow

a good step in the direction of seeing AI could be very useful but often a missed opportunity to provide more nuance about tradeoffs