📖 Overview
Frank Pasquale is a legal scholar and professor at Brooklyn Law School, specializing in technology law, artificial intelligence governance, and the societal impacts of algorithms. He previously served as Piper & Marbury Professor of Law at the University of Maryland and has held positions at Seton Hall University.
His most influential work is the 2015 book "The Black Box Society: The Secret Algorithms That Control Money and Information," which examined how digital technologies and algorithms shape modern society. This work established him as a leading voice on algorithmic accountability and digital platform regulation.
Pasquale frequently testifies before governmental bodies on topics related to AI regulation, privacy, and competition policy in digital markets. His 2020 book "New Laws of Robotics: Defending Human Expertise in the Age of AI" explores the relationship between artificial intelligence and human professional judgment.
His research and academic contributions focus on the intersection of law, technology, and society, with particular emphasis on information asymmetry, algorithmic governance, and the power dynamics between technology companies and individuals. Pasquale serves on the Council on Technology and Society and has been appointed to various advisory boards related to AI ethics and digital policy.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Pasquale's ability to explain complex technological and legal concepts in accessible terms. His work on algorithmic accountability resonates with both legal professionals and general audiences concerned about big tech's influence.
What readers liked:
- Clear explanations of technical concepts
- Well-researched examples and case studies
- Practical policy recommendations
- Balance between technical detail and readability
What readers disliked:
- Some find his writing style too academic
- Occasional repetition of key points
- Limited concrete solutions in "Black Box Society"
- Technical sections can be challenging for non-specialists
Ratings across platforms:
The Black Box Society
- Goodreads: 3.9/5 (500+ ratings)
- Amazon: 4.3/5 (80+ reviews)
New Laws of Robotics
- Goodreads: 3.8/5 (150+ ratings)
- Amazon: 4.2/5 (40+ reviews)
Notable reader comment: "Pasquale cuts through the tech industry hype to expose the real issues of algorithmic control" - Amazon reviewer
📚 Books by Frank Pasquale
The Black Box Society: The Secret Algorithms That Control Money and Information (2015)
Examines how powerful companies use digital information and algorithms to predict and influence human behavior while keeping their own operations opaque.
New Laws of Robotics: Defending Human Expertise in the Age of AI (2020) Proposes a framework for integrating artificial intelligence into society while preserving human professional judgment and expertise.
The Search Engine Society (2008) Analyzes how search engines shape access to information and influence social, economic, and political processes.
Privacy, Antitrust, and Power (2013) Explores the intersection of privacy law and antitrust regulation in the context of digital platforms and data aggregation.
Law Among Nations: An Introduction to Public International Law (co-authored, 2010) Presents foundational concepts and contemporary issues in international law for students and practitioners.
New Laws of Robotics: Defending Human Expertise in the Age of AI (2020) Proposes a framework for integrating artificial intelligence into society while preserving human professional judgment and expertise.
The Search Engine Society (2008) Analyzes how search engines shape access to information and influence social, economic, and political processes.
Privacy, Antitrust, and Power (2013) Explores the intersection of privacy law and antitrust regulation in the context of digital platforms and data aggregation.
Law Among Nations: An Introduction to Public International Law (co-authored, 2010) Presents foundational concepts and contemporary issues in international law for students and practitioners.
👥 Similar authors
Shoshana Zuboff writes about surveillance capitalism and how tech companies monetize personal data. Her analyses of digital power structures align with Pasquale's focus on algorithmic control and corporate information dominance.
Julie Cohen examines the intersection of law, technology, and privacy in networked spaces. She addresses how digital platforms reshape social institutions and regulatory frameworks.
Safiya Noble researches algorithmic bias and discrimination in search engines and digital platforms. Her work complements Pasquale's investigations into how automated systems perpetuate inequalities.
Lawrence Lessig focuses on internet law, digital rights, and how code functions as a form of regulation. His examination of digital architecture's impact on society parallels Pasquale's analysis of technological governance.
Virginia Eubanks studies how digital tools and automated systems affect poor and working-class communities. Her research on algorithmic decision-making in public services connects with Pasquale's critiques of automated governance.
Julie Cohen examines the intersection of law, technology, and privacy in networked spaces. She addresses how digital platforms reshape social institutions and regulatory frameworks.
Safiya Noble researches algorithmic bias and discrimination in search engines and digital platforms. Her work complements Pasquale's investigations into how automated systems perpetuate inequalities.
Lawrence Lessig focuses on internet law, digital rights, and how code functions as a form of regulation. His examination of digital architecture's impact on society parallels Pasquale's analysis of technological governance.
Virginia Eubanks studies how digital tools and automated systems affect poor and working-class communities. Her research on algorithmic decision-making in public services connects with Pasquale's critiques of automated governance.