Algorithms and Automation: Governance over Rituals, Machines, and Prototypes, from Sundial to Blockchain

The author of "Algorithms and Automation: Governance over Rituals, Machines, and Prototypes, from Sundial to Blockchain" designed a Bot trained on her book to support dialogue with the content and facilitate discussions. The book explores the history and impact of automation on society, emphasizing the political and social forces that shape it. It provides a genealogy of automation, tracing its development from ancient rituals to modern-day prototypes, and highlights the challenges posed by new technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence. The volume argues for more democratic and accountable governance over technological innovation to ensure that it respects human rights, political pluralism, legitimacy, and other values.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 08 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Algorithms and Automation: Governance over Rituals, Machines, and Prototypes, from Sundial to Blockchain is a comprehensive exploration of the historical and societal implications of automation. It delves into the intricate relationship between automation and power, emphasizing the significance of understanding the social context within which automation is developed and utilized. The book posits that automation has always been a political and social force that shapes our lives and futures, rather than a neutral tool. The author offers a genealogy of automation, tracing its evolution from ancient rituals to modern-day prototypes, and highlights the challenges posed by emerging technologies like blockchain and artificial intelligence. The volume argues for the need for more democratic and accountable governance over technological innovation to ensure that it upholds human rights, political pluralism, legitimacy, and other values cherished in our institutions and political processes.

The book is an engaging read on a captivating topic, making it essential for scholars, students, and researchers in the fields of science and technology studies, digital humanities, politics and governance, public policy, social policy, system design and automation, and history and philosophy of science and technology. It also appeals to readers with an interest in the intersections of the sciences and the social sciences and humanities.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032038636