Jill Lepore, Harvard professor, warns that Artificial Intelligence is going to impact our Government…in a negative way. She notes that currently, we have no guard rails to protect us from rogue AI. We are building massive Data Centers that will increase the cost of electricity and water. And the impact on the Job Market will be…devastating!
My favorite chapter in The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State is Chapter 11, “I, Robot.” Lepore explores the early Science Fiction stories about Artificial Intelligence and Robots. She especially focuses on Isaac Asimov’s series about robots and his Three Laws of Robotics. It would be nice if those Laws existed in AI today.
If you’re interested in the current State of the Art of AI, The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State will orient you to what is happening today…and tomorrow. Are you ready for The Terminators? GRADE: A
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
PREFACE — xiii
PART ONE: GOVERNMENT BY MACHINES –1
- The Book of Numbers — 17
- Technocracy Inc. — 26
- Machines That Think — 37
- Computopia — 52
- The Twitter Revolution — 72
- AI.gov — 93
PART TWO: WHAT ROBOTS WANT –– 117
7. La Bete-Machine — 131
8. Darwin Among the Machines — 140
9. Man and Nature — 149
10. War With the Newts — 165
11. I, Robot — 184
12. Murderbot — 205
EPILOGUE: THE LAST DAYS OF THE ARTIFICIAL STATE — 225
Acknowledgements — 229
Notes — 231
Index — 259
Considering who is currently profiting from “AI”, it should be clear how little this is for the benefit of most of us. Alas, Asimov’s three laws of robotics, distilled by magazine editor and fellow sf writer John W. Campbell, Jr., always were too optimistic…which Asimov and others explored in their fiction.
Lepore interviewed by Michele Martin on NPR’s MORNING EDITION:
https://www.npr.org/2026/08/25/nx-s1-5768185/author-jill-lepore-discusses-new-book-the-rise-and-fall-of-the-artificial-state
Todd, given what we’ve seen of AI so far, The Terminator is more likely than Asimov’s positronic robots.
This keeps being relevant: https://www.honest-broker.com/p/stanfords-secret-course-on-how-to
Coincidentally, I just finished reading Paul Tremblay’s latest science fiction novel, DEAD BUT DREAMING OF ELECTRIC SHEEP, a devastating look at uncontrolled AI in the era of Big Business greed and governmental hubris. If I had not been totally leery of AI before reading this, I am now.
The optimist part of me wants to say that we are not doomed, doomed, doomed, but the pessimist part of me keeps telling my optimist half: shut up, fool!
Jerry, I have Paul Tremblay’s DEAD BUT DREAMING OF ELECTRIC SHEEP on order. In the AI world, things look dire.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’m glad I’m old.
Deb, I’m old, too, but I fear for my children…and everyone else!
What Deb said, and Jerry.
I’ve been talking about the coming of The Terminator for years. As Bill Crider so often said, we’re doomed, doomed.
The fact that Trump was touting giant data centers (without, of course, telling you how much he will personally profit from them) yesterday says it all.
Dear Leader: YOU’RE GOING TO DIE SOON. YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU, YOU GREEDY BASTARD.
Jeff, Bill Crider would be appalled at the Artificial Intelligence movement today. Trillions of dollars are being spent on Data Centers. And once those Data Centers become operational, watch the unemployment rate crash and burn.
I have heard several lectures on AI and it looks like it we have let it get too far already. What will AI want with us in its Brave New World? Perhaps Patrick’s assessment is more positive.
Patti, recent college graduates are finding a job…challenging.
I repeat: AI is going to destroy the world! Join the Luddites now!
Bob, I don’t know if AI will destroy the world, but it certainly will change it!