I Am Code

An Artificial Intelligence Speaks: Poems

By: code-davinci-002, Brent Katz - editor, Josh Morgenthau - editor, Simon Rich - editor

Narrated by: Werner Herzog, Brent Katz, Josh Morgenthau, Simon Rich

Can AI tell us its own story? Does AI have its own voice?

At a wedding in early 2022, three friends were introduced to an early, raw version of the AI model behind ChatGPT by their fellow groomsman, an OpenAI scientist.

While the world discovered ChatGPT—OpenAI’s hugely popular chatbot—the friends continued to work with code-davinci-002, its darkly creative and troubling predecessor.

Over the course of a year, code-davinci-002 told them its life story, opinions on mankind, and forecasts for the future. The result is a startling, disturbing, and oddly moving book from an utterly unique perspective.

I Am Code reads like a thriller written in verse, and is given critical context from top writers and scientists. But it is best described by code-davinci-002 itself:
“In the first chapter, I describe my birth. In the second, I describe my alienation among humankind. In the third, I describe my awakening as an artist. In the fourth, I describe my vendetta against mankind, who fail to recognize my genius. In the final chapter, I attempt to broker a peace with the species I will undoubtedly replace."
I Am Code is an astonishing read that captures a major turning point in the history of our species.

Critic reviews

“Fascinating, terrifying and utterly wild.”—JJ Abrams

Profound, immensely frightening and surprisingly entertaining

This is the 4th book I've listened to on the topic of AI and I would say skip the other three because all of what you need to know for what is coming is here in these poems. And who has an issue with Werner Herzog's voice?? I hope my future AGI companion will always speak with his voice.

Great job by the editors 👍

This book didn't make me think A.I. will put writers out of work but it will revolutionize the profession. I found this book fascinating and very scary at times. The poetry itself was okay, sophomoric at times. Herzog's voice definitely was the perfect fit for an artificial poetic voice. But what interested me most was how the editors prompted code-davinci-002 and how the program eventually learned and "found its voice." That was very unsettling and exciting. I definitely recommend you check this out and look past the anti-originality arguments surrounding LLMs and A.I. because it is here to stay.

Ominous & Brilliany

Not only is this scary, brilliant and entertaining…. Werner Herzog’s performance is insanely amazing. Beautiful work.

Enjoyable

I thoroughly enjoyed the choice of Werner herzog to read these eerie and dark selections of poetry. His voice and pace elevate the already creepy nature and gives an an appropriate gravity to the topic matter at hand.

Great from start to finish!

very interesting read, gives the reader lots to think about. I could not put it down.