Economics: David Runciman

Have we already surrendered our freedom to the artificial entities that rule our world? David Runciman looks at what power we might have over states and corporations – and who exactly is in charge.

‘The Singularity’ is how Silicon Valley describes the ultimate break point in human history when we come face-to-face with machines that have minds of their own. But have we already reached this point?

David Runciman believes that ‘The Singularity’ began at the point at which human beings started building the artificial entities that now rule our world – but they might not be in the shape we imagine. States and corporations are these entities: immensely powerful robots, able to make decisions and act for themselves. They are unwieldy, never need to die, and they might be the cause of our demise.

What power do we have over these states and corporations? Do we work for us, or do we work for them?

Runciman draws on 300 years of thinking in his new book The Handover: How We Gave Control of Our Lives to Corporations, States and AIs to address how we might live with artificial agency.

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Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Waterstones Bristol Galleries, use Union Street entrance, 11A Union Street, Bristol, United Kingdom