Post-pandemic, perhaps no STEM topic has gripped the news quite like Artificial Intelligence (AI). For almost a century (since Isaac Asimov), science-fiction writers have dreamed of computers gaining consciousness, but now, some propose those possibilities near fruition. Often, people who write about AI in the news focus solely on social aspects; those developing the technology, in contrast, focus solely on technical details. Few individuals can provide a balanced look that relates both levels. Kenneth Wenger’s book, fortunately, does just that by aiming to relate AI concepts to the general reading public. At 264 pages, this accessible guide can inform and elevate public dialogue to sort out fiction from fact and hype from essence.
One of the greatest impediments to reading books about AI is the math. The eyes of many folks – even including this math geek – glaze over or roll at seeing calculus or even algebra on the printed page. This book, for the most part, avoids that. Instead, he explains how AI works in plain, accessible language and unpacks how the math actually translates into action. Wenger understands English as much as he understands the technical algorithms, and it shows.
He organizes this book in an introduction, four long chapters, and a conclusion. The first three chapters are dedicated to explaining conceptually how AI “machine learning” algorithms work; only the fourth chapter discusses potential social implications. I suggest that readers not skip the first three chapters because they give readers a gut feel to what is actually possible – and importantly, what isn’t possible. After reading this book, you won’t be able to code AI, but you should be able to trace the defining features of AI from implementation in software to expression in society. The fourth chapter ties it all together with solid, reasonable analysis of social implications. Many computer folk don’t understand social impacts with levelness, and many socially prominent writers don’t understand computer science. Wenger transcends this divide and points out what we need to think about in coming months and years.
This book should receive a warm welcome, given what I see on popular news. It doesn’t fan flames of fear, nor does it promise too much. Instead, it merely informs as scientific books should. As the US Congress currently undertakes discussions on how to regulate AI, this book needs to be involved among the writers of policy. It is balanced, realistic, and expert. Journalists, too, must inform public sentiment with scientific facts, and this book can provide a informative deep dive for them as well. As a software developer myself with bookish interests, I am often put off by rampant, irresponsible speculation about the implications of AI. Wenger provides level-headed text to describe where we are. I hope the reading public is paying attention.
Is the Algorithm Plotting Against Us? A Layperson’s Guide to the Concepts, Math, and Pitfalls of AI
By Kenneth Wenger
Copyright (c) 2023
Working Fires Foundation
ISBN13 9781959632016
Page Count: 264
Genre: Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
www.amazon.com