We Are Not Machines

Original and enlightening, rooted in reality and populated by people. Not many books about the labour market make you laugh and bring tears to your eyes. This one does. It’s the kind of writing that AI will never replace… She talks to miners in Sweden, care workers in the Netherlands, drivers in America and online workers everywhere from Costa Rica to the Himalayas. Out of those stories she creates a remarkable picture of what is happening to jobs – Emma Duncan * The Times *
Perceptive and captivating – Will Dunn * New Statesman *
Moving, powerful and refreshing… We Are Not Machines isn’t against technology per se… what animates the book is a question more concerned with humanity than technology – Christopher Webb * Spectator *
Sarah is one of the few people who really understands how AI is changing the character of work already and what it means for all of us – David Runciman * Past Present Future Podcast *
Enjoyable… O’Connor uncovers stark differences in the way technology is affecting people’s working lives, depending on their bargaining power over the way it is introduced… Importantly, O’Connor also reviews the growing evidence that we may be reading, thinking and understanding less as we lean on technological shortcuts – potentially changing the very nature of human intelligence – Heather Stewart * Guardian *
Truly predicting how this technology will manifest in our lives is an impossible task, but O’Connor offers fascinating insights into the many ways in which it can affect workers…This book is a plea that as technological change occurs, we hold on to what makes us human – Frieda Klotz * Irish Independent *
Excellent and wide-ranging – Tom Knowles * New Scientist *
Tactful… a curious and stimulating investigation… O’Connor implores that she still holds the belief that technology can help make the world better, but it won’t just happen naturally. The future that so many of us want and desire can happen, but “not without a fight” – Neve Blue * Buzz Magazine *
An engrossing read that reframes the ongoing debate about technological change away from binary lists of winners and losers, and towards a discussion of power, politics and humanity. It is well-rooted in economic history yet brisk, taking in the development of factory management since the Industrial Revolution… At the heart of this book is an exploration of how humans not only make tools, but are shaped by them – Yuan Yang * The House Magazine *
A fierce, wise, beautiful book – Tim Harford

Sarah O’Connor is a columnist, reporter, and associate editor at the Financial Times. She writes a weekly column focused on the world of work, as well as longer features and investigations.

She has won:

• The Orwell Prize for Exposing Britain’s Social Evils
• The Wincott Award for financial journalism
• Business Commentator of the Year at the Comment Awards
• Financial/Economic story of the year at the Foreign Press Awards
• Business and Finance Journalist of the Year at the British Press Awards

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.