From facial recognition, smart fridges, and Siri to ‘harnessing the power of AI’, surely the defining spirit of this moment in history is humans interacting with technology. But it’s not all good. For journalist and author Tracey Spicer, the ideologies and beliefs that populate this territory are worth thinking deeply on. Among the joyous oohs and ahhs of new technology are very real frustrations, risks, and existential threats.
Man-made introduces countless disturbing, sinister, and sometimes terrifying real-life examples. The thing is society, and its assorted technologies, is constructed. As part of this, these machines need data and information to work. What is unfortunate is that these technologies – online systems, robots, smart devices, and driverless cars, and the algorithms that power them – are mostly being fed with existing data that’s riddled with bias. It seems that the often racist, misogynistic, bigoted, and colonial structure of the first industrial revolution is being scaled up and incorporated into the design of countless forms of technology, mostly suited to meet the needs of straight, white, rich men.
An unexpected example, from many explored in the book, is the technology-enabled liquid soap dispenser that won’t recognise dark-skinned hands simply because the sensor was designed to work with light skin. More disturbingly, significant life and death decisions are being made every day by machines and technology rather than humans.
Each chapter in Man-made is introduced with a thought-provoking quote and then explores a compelling aspect of this ever evolving and increasingly complex and biased technological territory. The extensive, and at times confronting facts, figures, and insights are interspersed with witty conversational asides and opinions from the author.
Man-made provides compelling evidence in an entertaining and easy-to-read format. It features a handy glossary, useful for demystifying curious acronyms and unfamiliar technology-related terms, and end notes of cited sources. Tracy Spicer encourages us to get informed, engaged, and active; not passively sit back and wait.
Reviewed by Mark Parry
Read a Q&A with Tracy Spicer
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