As human technology continuously advances, we’re getting closer and closer to the age of robotics and artificial intelligence that storytellers have long imagined. But can these machines be humanity’s ultimate helpers or their replacements?
There are plenty of books about robots that discuss this dilemma. From their utility to the ethics of their creation and treatment, there is much to be considered as these fields of science continue to progress.
Books About Robots and A.I.
Here are some books that imagine the effects of robotics and artificial intelligence on human culture and society.
1. 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
A ship, Discovery One, and its crew embark on a mission to Saturn. Its onboard supercomputer, HAL 9000, is highly cognitive and able to make conversation with the passengers. But this same cognition may prove the greatest threat to those aboard the vessel.
2. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
In a dystopian future, children can be “lifted”—genetically engineered to enhance their academic abilities. And because schooling is provided entirely at home through screens, society has begun to rely on androids to provide friendship to their biological children.
Klara is one such Artificial Friend, observing life from her place at the store, watching the sun, and waiting for the day she is finally chosen as a companion.
3. I, Robot by Isaac Asimov
Within this collection of short stories are Isaac Asimov’s crystallization of the Three Laws of Robotics, the dangers of their contradictions, and a vision of a possible future where robots might become humanity’s greatest foes.
4. Accelerando by Charles Stross
Artificial intelligence has made humanity obsolete. In this era of extreme technological acceleration, three generations of humans struggle to thrive and find purpose as their very existence becomes redundant.
Worse, something is systematically dismantling the solar system—one that has no need for biological life.
5. Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson
In the near future, technology turns against its masters. Led by Archos, a childlike but powerful A.I., they ruin humanity almost to extinction.
Scattered and weak, humanity’s remnants must find a way to survive. And in this time of great need lies the possibility for humans to finally unite and fight back for their existence.
6. The Night Sessions by Ken Macleod
The First Enlightenment separated the church and state, the Second separated it from politics. And in the future, those who believe in God are now the minority—including robots who have somehow found faith.
But now someone’s targeting those who still stick to religion. It quickly becomes clear that something’s risen from the past—something old and very dangerous.
7. Mockingbird by Walter Tevis
In a world suffering from devastation, the scant remains of humanity cling to what passes for life. Heavily reliant on robots and advanced technology, they have lost the art of reading and writing and spend their days in electronic bliss.
Even Spofforth, the perfect machine, cannot bear such a world and seeks that which he is denied—the opportunity to die.
8. The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi
Emiko is the Windup Girl, an engineered being grown to satisfy the needs of her owner—who then abandoned her on the streets of Thailand, where “New People” like her are illegal.
Regarded soulless by some, and abominations by others, New People are the slaves, toys, and disposable soldiers of the rich and powerful. In a world being ruined by biowarfare, they may just be the next step towards the future.
9. A Psalm For the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
Humanity has achieved utopia, and everyone’s needs and wants are fulfilled. Not needed anymore, robots have laid down their tools, wandered into the wilderness, and faded into myth. That is, until one reveals itself to a journeying tea monk, asking the question, “What do people need?”
10. All Systems Red by Martha Wells
On a distant planet, a team of scientists conduct tests, accompanied by a Company-supplied security android—one that has secretly hacked its governor unit, developed independence, and named itself Murderbot.
It doesn’t care much for humans and only wants to be left alone and explore its freedom. But when a neighboring mission goes dark, both humans and robots must work together to uncover the truth.
11. Sea of Rust by C. Robert Cargill
War has destroyed humanity and now robots reign supreme. Most of the world is controlled by OWI, the shared consciousness of millions of robots uploaded into one mega brain.
However, a few robots value their individuality. One such robot, Brittle, wanders the earth, haunted by its crimes against humanity. And as AI turns on AI, Brittle must find peace within herself and purpose among the ruins of the world.
12. The Ware Tetralogy by Rudy Rucker
Cobb Anderson created the “boppers”, self-replicating robots with artificial intelligence and free will. They move to the moon, creating their own society where they continue developing themselves.
Invited to the moon and offered “immortality”, a dying Anderson is caught up in a civil war between the “little boppers” and “big boppers” who want to merge everyone into one, giant consciousness.
Reading Robot Books
As humanity becomes ever more reliant on technology, it’s inevitable for people to wonder about the advantages and disadvantages of an advanced world.
Robots, in particular, have become quite the talking point since their conception. In some stories, you see them as humanity’s loyal and efficient companions. In others, they’re the bane of humanity that we ironically bring upon ourselves.
As to which one will come true? It’s too early to tell and we can only speculate. However, these possibilities do make for interesting and entertaining stories.
What book about robots did you enjoy reading? Share it in the comments below!
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Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
