Hello World cover art

Hello World

How to Be Human in the Age of the Machine

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Hello World

By: Hannah Fry
Narrated by: Hannah Fry
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About this listen

Random House presents the audiobook edition of Hello World, written and read by Hannah Fry.

You are accused of a crime. Who would you rather determined your fate – a human or an algorithm?

An algorithm is more consistent and less prone to error of judgement. Yet a human can look you in the eye before passing sentence.
You need a liver transplant to save your life. Who would you want in charge of organ allocation?
An algorithm can match organ donors with patients, potentially saving many more lives. But it may send you to the back of the queue.
You’re buying a (driverless) car. One vehicle is programmed to save as many lives as possible in a collision. Another promises to prioritize the lives of its passengers. Which do you choose?
Welcome to the age of the algorithm, the story of a not-too-distant future where machines rule supreme, making important decisions – in healthcare, transport, finance, security, what we watch, where we go even who we send to prison. So how much should we rely on them? What kind of future do we want?

Hannah Fry takes us on a tour of the good, the bad and the downright ugly of the algorithms that surround us. In Hello World she lifts the lid on their inner workings, demonstrates their power, exposes their limitations, and examines whether they really are an improvement on the humans they are replacing.

'Wise, sharp and witty, the definitive guide to living in the age of social media, algorithms and automation.' Adam Rutherford

©2018 Hannah Fry (P)2018 Random House Audiobooks
Law Physics Programming Social Sciences Software Development Software Thought-Provoking Inspiring Transportation
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Critic reviews

A stylish, thoughtful, and scrupulously fair-minded account of what the software that increasingly governs our lives can and cannot do ... A beautifully accessible guide that leaps lightly from one story to the next without sparing the reader hard questions... deserves a place in the bestseller charts. (Oliver Moody)
With refreshing simplicity, Fry explains what AI, machine learning and complicated algorithms really mean, providing some succinct explanations of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, driverless cars and many other unnerving modern phenomena…This book illustrates why good science writers are essential. (Katy Guest)
Brilliantly clear...Fry succinctly outlines the ethical issues that beset AI (James McConnaiche)

What listeners say about Hello World

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A fascinating journey through the murky world of algorithms!

An amazing listen. Beautifully written with wonderful narration from hannah. Packed with engaging stories that bring the world of algorithms to life.

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Essential listening for any knowledge worker

There are few in the developed world that don't work with data and algorithms to some extent, but this beautifully crafted set of examples highlights the tradeoffs in the name of simplicity.

Everyone should have an awareness, from private organisations burying consent in T&C's to individuals relinquishing their [previously considered] private information for a "free" service. This book draws the patterns but let's the listener draw their own conclusions - superb.

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Very well explained and just as well performed

You don't necessarily expect a maths/computing professor to read so well, but Hannah's performance is brilliant. It is clear, has a good tone and adds personality and really makes the book tick.

The book explains a broad array of aspects relating to algorithms. Hannah explains the concepts really well using real world examples. Very clearly done and well executed!

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Great concepts. Reading not at all

The book's concepts and the stories that present them are great. I would enjoy the book much more though if I didnt have to constantly go back to try to figure out what the reader said.

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Really enjoyable

Wasn't sure what to expect but, thoroughly enjoyed it.
The author / performer really knew their stuff, make me an easy for everyone to understand.

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Thoroughly enjoyable.

Where does the line lie? A very fascinating subject, projected through someone who has a dynamic grasp of the content at hand. What’s great about this is that there’s a good philosophical middle ground to really get a good scrum out when confront where human projects meats cold mathematics.

A great listen and a definite recommendation to all.

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Computer Says "No"

Interesting and thought provoking introduction into how computers and their algorithms are set to control the human world. The pitfalls and opportunities nicely narrated by the fantastic author herself.

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Very interesting and definitely worth listening to

Hannah is very engaging and the book is really interesting. My only complaint would be that some sections are repeated, hence 4 stars.....I think purposely though to emphasise what is being said so perhaps I am being picky. All in all a brilliant, interesting listen.

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Enlightening

I'll keep it short. This book is about algorithms and how they affect us. It is well written and narrated by the author herself. I doubt that there's anyone who would not value the the knowledge of the impact these algorithms have on our daily lives. It's certainly thought provoking and definitely worth a listen. Very pleased with my first Audiobook.

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Enlightening

This book is by far one of the best I have come across to introduce, familiarise and broadly understand the affect of our algorithmic world. Hanna not only delves in the past but also looks to the future with a scientific viewpoint of past case studies. A very well researched piece.

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