Library Staff Recommendation
AI is currently highly topical, and it is a topic of personal interest I try to keep up on. This book looks at different types of AI, explores where AI is being sold to do things that fails to deliver on, and explores whether future improvements can fix those issues. This is a good cautionary tale for those who are unfamiliar with where AI fails to meet its promises, but it is also a hopeful message that AI could provide a lot of benefits to society when correctly used, correctly regulated, and when current shortfalls are corrected.
While discussing a highly technical topic, the book remains relatively accessible. It could be gibberish to someone who has little experience with computers, but you do not need a degree in Computer Science either. Someone who is familiar with using computers, and somewhat familiar with using AI, should be able to get a lot out of this. The authors make sure they clearly define the different types of AI, provide clear examples where AI fails to deliver on what is promised, and explains if can be corrected and, when not, explains why it may be an impossible ask.
If you already use ChatGPT and want to know more about the strengths and weaknesses of AI, this is a good choice.
4/5 Stars
Reviewed by Rebecca