From essays on AI to a book on stillness, we round up the great reads that got us thinking in 2019.

By Xische Editorial, December 3, 2019

It’s something of an annual tradition to round up the year’s best books and articles in December. This year, we are going to put a slightly different spin on things by throwing in some of our favourite Xische Reports pieces. Along with our weekly newsletter, Backstory (subscribe here, if you haven’t already), we have published more than 60 articles on everything from the simple pleasure of bicycles to the expanding politics of surveillance capitalism. We rounded up 8 favourite reads from the past year that we believe are worth another visit this holiday season. Here’s to an incredible 2020!

1. Understanding AI for humans

The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) defines the current technological age. We spent a great deal of time this year charting various manifestations of the AI revolution from the mundane to the theoretical. Given the amount of material out there, we even struggle to stay on top of everything. Stuart Russel, a computer science professor at the University of California, Berkeley, has delivered one of the most fascinating, exhaustive, and readable books about AI this year. In Human Compatible: AI and the Problem of Control, Russel lucidly explains the latest AI innovations and considers what will really happen if we succeed in creating superhuman intelligence. Not for the light hearted but vital reading. 

2. A new perspective on the data economy

Another connected theme that we explored this year was data. More specifically, how our data is collected, analysed, and should be protected. We have watched as major internet companies debated data regulation with anticipation and a slight amount of suspicion.  Shoshana Zuboff, a professor at Harvard Business School, sees a nefarious plan in play when it comes to Big Tech and data. In her critical book, The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: The Fight for a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power, she outlines the new age of data capitalism. The book outlines how Big Tech has captured and monetised human attention and now has the power of modify our very behaviour. It’s a long book but one that will be referenced as a real turning point in our understanding of technology today.

3. Rediscovering serendipity

It wasn’t all gloomy technology reporting this year. We took the time to stop and smell the roses along the way, literally. Throughout the year, we explored the role of serendipity in the internet age. One of our favourite articles on the matter tackled how libraries (the ones with physical books) can help us unexpectedly stumble upon a world of knowledge. Reclaiming serendipity when it comes to the creation of knowledge will be one of the defining challenges for the internet native generation. Let’s start spreading the word.

4. Blockchain goes mainstream

Beyond the attention grabbing headlines around data and regulation, 2019 will be remembered as the year blockchain and payments broke out. With the announcement of Facebook’s Libra currency, which will run on a semi-private blockchain based in Switzerland, the power of technology to disrupt the payments sector came into sharp focus. We followed the various developments, ultimately arguing that the UAE is positioned for a payments unicorn of its own. Watch this space carefully.

5. Will women lead the Fourth Industrial Revolution?

Back in May, our Director of Strategy Mary Ames published a piece tackling one of the most overlooked social components in the Fourth Industrial Revolution: the role of gender. From gender bias in AI algorithms to automation destroying jobs overwhelming occupied by women, gender is a critical factor that is not getting enough attention. Ultimately, Ames argues, greater gender balance in technology will push innovation forward. It’s an issue that will continue to inform debates in 2020 and beyond.

6. Reclaiming peace in the age of streaming

Stillness. That word we take for granted. Think about the various definitions of stillness. To be steady while the world spins around you. To act without frenzy. To hear only what needs to be heard. To possess quietude—exterior and interior—on command. One of our favourite books to help unplug dealt exclusively with the concept of stillness. In Stillness is the Key, the writer Ryan Holiday argues that stillness is the key to being better at just about anything you want to do. His book is part of a slew of self-help volumes that use ancient philosophies like Stoicism to guide us through contemporary life. Sometimes the old ways are the best ways.

7. Smart Cities to watch in 2020

In addition to launching a newsletter and publishing a regular stream of articles on everything from AI to libraries, we unveiled our first smart cities index in 2019. The objective was simple: determine which cities are the best at adapting technology and highlighting the human experience. Additionally, we were curious to uncover the cities where collaboration across different sectors thrives and which cities remained true to their roots when it comes to urban branding and storytelling. The results might surprise you and we can’t wait for next year’s edition.

8. The next AI debate

Late in the year, we were inspired by a piece in the New York Times by technologists Ben Gansky, Michael Martin, and Ganesh Sitaraman arguing that AI should be a public good. Their argument was straightforward and long overdue. The development and use of AI technology is so important for society that it can’t be left to big tech giants alone. Moreover, the US government (and others like it) are missing a great opportunity to use AI for good across the public sector. About time, right? Looking ahead to 2020, we will continue to chronicle how the UAE and other countries strive to make this ideal a reality.