Algorithms and Humanity

The 2018 Baillie Gifford Prize and the 2018 Royal Society Investment Science Book Prize both shortlisted "Hello World" by mathematician Hannah Fry, which has been hailed as "a beautifully accessible guide" and "one of the best books yet written on data and algorithms" by The Times (UK).

As we approach the age of the algorithm, where machines seem to reign supreme, we are faced with a growing number of ethical dilemmas. Who should decide our sentences - a mathematically consistent algorithm incapable of empathy, or a potentially biased but compassionate human judge? If buying a driverless car, should we choose one programmed to save as many lives as possible, or one that prioritizes the safety of its own passengers? And would you agree to share your family's full medical history if it could help researchers find a cure for cancer?

These are the types of challenging questions that "Hello World" explores. Fry takes us on a tour of the algorithms that now govern so many aspects of our lives, from what we watch and where we go, to whom we date and even whom we send to jail. As we become increasingly reliant on algorithms to automate consequential decisions in the realms of crime, justice, healthcare, transportation, and finance, we must grapple with what we want our world to look like.

Should helping doctors with diagnosis take precedence over preserving privacy? Is protecting victims of crime more important than preventing the false accusation of the innocent? Fry delves into the underlying mathematics powering these algorithms, revealing how human biases can become literally coded into the systems we trust to make impartial decisions.

Through relatable, real-world stories paired with accessible explanations of the algorithms at work, "Hello World" empowers readers to understand the true power and limitations of these automated decision-makers. Fry encourages us to examine whether algorithms truly represent an improvement over the flawed human systems they are replacing, or if they simply introduce new challenges that we must be prepared to address.

As we navigate this new era of algorithmic influence, "Hello World" provides an essential guide, equipping readers with the knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to ensure these powerful lines of code are serving the greater good, rather than optimizing for narrow interests at the expense of our core values and priorities.

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