Undercover Robot: My First Year As Human

by Bertie Fraser & David Edmonds

Undercover Robot is a very funny introduction to the ethics of artificial intelligence and of being a human being. Dave Edmonds, who recommended the best books on ethical problems for Five Books, and Bertie Fraser, founder of Storynory.com, do a brilliant job of bringing to life Dotty, who is trying her best to fit in as normal 12-year old girl, but can’t help being weird. A children’s book, yes, but quite fun to read as an adult too.

Commentary

Q: David Edmonds also has another book out this year, co-written with Bertie Fraser and aimed at a younger age group (9-12), called Undercover Robot. My kids really enjoyed it, and I think you wanted to mention it?

A: Yes, David has actually had two books out this year. I thought Undercover Robot, which I wanted to mention in passing, was excellent as well. It’s a story about an intelligent robot. It’s very witty with lots of in-jokes that adult philosophers will spot as they read this to their children.

Interview with Nigel Warburton, The Best Philosophy Books of 2020