100 Books Like Xanthe and the Robots

I knew the film Blade Runner before I read this, the novel upon which it's based, but I was not prepared for the richer complexities of the novel.

My favorite parts of the novel, a bizarre new religion and the extinction of all but human and animal life, barely make it into the film. Even the androids, built to be slaves, are much more nuanced and complex than in the film. I loved the conclusion of the book, which affirms the beauty of life, both natural and mechanical.

I’m going old-school, back to one of the grandfathers of science fiction, Robert Heinlein.

Not only is his book a masterful example of character-driven storytelling, but it takes a critical eye to many of the things our current society takes for granted as being “true” and “right,” finding them wanting. It’s also been a huge influence on me in my writing, as have many of Heinlein’s other works, and I couldn’t not put it in here.

This novel was written by programmer Rollo Carpenter, for whose Loebner Prize winning chatbot ‘Joan’ I developed a character, to help himself through the covid pandemic. And it is indeed one of the most delightful, optimistic stories I have ever read. Humanity rebuilds a world almost destroyed by climate change with cooperation and sharing evocative of the idealistic early days of the internet. That cooperation and sharing then extend to artificial and extra-terrestrial intelligences. I loved the gently-drawn characters whilst the frequent surprises ensured I kept turning the pages.

This collection of robot-themed short stories is the overspill from Asimov’s more famous I, Robot, but I think it contains some of his better ones. It includes Satisfaction Guaranteed, which provided part of the inspiration for my book. Key to the book’s appeal to me when I first read it as a teenager was the way several of the stories show the human side of steely spinster robopsychologist Dr. Susan Calvin. I wanted to be her at age 14! My persistent favourite was Asimov’s favourite too, Galley Slave, about a proofreading robot; perhaps the reason for both of us is because it so obviously draws on his insider knowledge of book production.

I dearly loved Isaac Asimov's vision of the robot. Although the idea of a mechanical man has entertained audiences for hundreds, if not thousands, of years, Asimov dealt with the reality of how humans will coexist with our intelligent creations. 

Prior to Asimov's three laws we had always thought of robots delivering evil as surrogates of their evil masters. And always with human intent. Evil emperors trying to rule the world is typical. But Asimov showed us the danger of machines that are their own masters. 

Machine learning and reasoning are now a reality different from anything humans can conceive. We are limited in our comprehension of machines by our biology and evolutionary context. But they are not limited in their comprehension of us or themselves. Just ask AlphaGo move 37. I am certain Asimov's three laws will never be enough to ensure our survival in a world where we… show more.

Asimov is known as the grandfather of A.I. Science Fiction, and yet, you don’t have to have much of an interest in robotics in order to appreciate many of his stories. One of the best examples of this would be Liar! A story that tackles how a robot, one which isn’t allowed to hurt humans, would try to circumvent peoples’ emotions in a situation in which their desire for career success and romance are on the line. As someone who has dealt with all sides of these affairs, Lair! Is one of those stories that reminded me that no matter what, I’m only human.

In my opinion, we need public theologians who will knowledgeably and insightfully address new discoveries in science as well as new advances in technology. Here, in the middle of worldwide excitement and anxiety over the fast-moving developments in Artificial Intelligence, we have the best book to date on this topic.

Noreen Herzfeld holds two doctorates, one in computer science and the other in theology. She teaches in both fields. She knows whereof she speaks. What she says provides me with confidence in the face of an otherwise puzzling, if not threatening, future. 

This novel is not as well-known as others, but it should be. I’d describe it as a dystopian thriller set slightly in a future where technology has become part of every single aspect of life. Detective Carl Dremmler is tasked with the complexities of investigating a murder by an advanced AI assistant (which should not have been possible).

This fast-paced and thought-provoking story addresses the themes of human autonomy, morality, and the dangers of technological advancement. The writing is excellent, with its premonition of where we might be heading and some of the issues we might encounter. It is thrilling and enjoyable.

Arguably, Bill McKibben has been this nation’s preeminent environmentalist since 1989 when he published The End of Nature. Falter is his latest book and it is a numbing take on our species and how we have damaged the environment, perhaps, to the point of no return. On the other hand, McKibben is as much an activist as an environmentalist and as such he cannot and, so far at least, has not lost hope no matter how dire the straits.  

The news is full of stories about chilling developments in artificial intelligence.

And you don’t have to venture into the fantasy world of killer robots to be terrified. Already, “chatbots” are blurring the lines between human and machine intelligence.

It’s gotten to the point that you can’t trust what you see or read online—because it may have been created by some AI designed to cheat or scare you into doing something you really don’t want to do.

Ira Levin’s novel, published in 1970, shows us a world ruled by artificial intelligence. It’s dystopia in the truest sense—and it’s likely to frighten you, as it did me.