Reviews - The AI Con: How to Fight Big Tech's Hype and Create the Future We Want

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171 reviews for:

The AI Con: How to Fight Big Tech's Hype and Create the Future We Want

Emily M. Bender, Alex Hanna

4.09 AVERAGE

robsfavoriteaudiobooks's review against another edition

4.0

challenging informative inspiring slow-paced

“The development of Mass Automation Tools is not socially desirable…these technologies serve as a means of centralizing power, amassing data, and generating profit rather than providing technology that is socially beneficial. In other words, this is a choice; one being made by powerful interests but one that the rest of us do not have to go along with. Thus, we reject this ‘inevitability’ out of hand.”

My bias going in: I think AI innovation is a stupid thing to pursue. It’s a misnomer since “intelligence” should be measured by what novel creations or experiences can be generated not simply what is memorized and repeated. Relying on generative AI for creative endeavors only makes sense if we collectively agree that everything worth making was made by 2023. The widespread embrace of AI in this era as a solve-all solution while it fuels widespread layoffs across industries has made me Luddite-curious.

This book presents a well-researched argument that I was correct in my skepticism. It also goes further into aspects that I hadn’t considered before like the direct link between AI promotion and a modern day eugenics movement. The promoters of AI are ignoring reasonable criticisms and the real harm “AI Hype” is doing right now by imagining science fiction scenarios that are nowhere close to taking shape.

Altogether, the book is fascinating, engaging, and offers thoughtful calls to action. I would recommend it higher except the dry academic language made the pace slow down more than I like.