Don't Trust The Cute Ones: Books To Read About A.I. And Robots

Science fiction is one of my favorite genres, and one of the most recurring elements in these novels is artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence is always a looming threat to all of humanity, so why not read some science fiction novels about the looming threat? So, here’s some novels and collections worth reading about A.I.

I Robot by Issac Asimov

Issac Asimov’s classic 1950 novel “I Robot” can also be called a short story collection, as all the stories of robots are connected by a cold woman named Susan, who works for a robot company. However, each story of robots and the problems they cause society can be read separately. This novel is considered one of the greatest works of science fiction of all times, and is still referenced to this day in A.I. circles due to the rules of robots Asimov lays out in the opening. If the robots ever arise, those rules could come in handy during talks with our new robot overlords. 

Idoru by William Gibson 

William Gibson’s “Idoru” is one of my favorite cyberpunk novels. Cyberpunk is a subgenre of science fiction, created by Gibson, which incorporates computer culture and futurism into a dystopian setting. A group of people are drawn together in a future Japan by their worship of a pop star, who unknown to them, is actually just a hologram. It’s one of those novels that plays out like a great anime in your head as you read it, and has much to say about pop culture and both the positive and negative effects it has on people.

Supertoys Trilogy by Brian Aldiss

Brian Aldiss famously didn’t like the movie which resulted from his famous short story “Supertoys Last All Summer”, Steven Spielberg’s “A.I.”. Though the film has gotten a critical reconsideration over the last number of years, it still also is considered to have some of Spielberg’s worst habits, like an overly long and sappy ending. Aldiss’s short story trilogy, available on Kindle, traces the beginning of the robot boy, David, and goes through his ownership, his “parents” discontent and the questions that rises from a robot as a child. It’s a great short story trilogy, and a lot darker than the Spielberg film.

Alex + Ada by Jonahan Luna

Jonahan Luna’s comic book series, published as a complete collection in hardcover and paperback, is about what happens when a lonely guy decides to give his robot companion awareness. It’s illegal to do so, but as more and more robots become aware, forces come into play about if they are a new group who deserve rights. All reactions, both pro and anti, are understandable. With any new group, people aren’t sure what to make of it, and his book paints both as multi layered. The romance between Alex and Ada has a lot of questions attached to it. Jonathan Luna is a really great and thoughtful voice in comic book writing, and this is worth a read.

Borne by Jeff Vandermeer

Borne was perhaps the best novel I read last year. Not a robot in the more traditional sense, but a robot nonetheless, it’s about a woman who becomes attached to a robot who’s a big blob of fluff and machinery, but she becomes protective and obsessive with it nonetheless. A great exploration of wanting to be attached to anything, even if it’s a ugly robot. It’s a solid piece of weird fiction and an affecting read.

So, these are some books you can read about artificial intelligence and robots. I hope none of you fail the “Are You A Robot?” cliche on the internet, and can enjoy these journeys into the artificial intelligence reame.