Devi Nair
š§ Listened in audio š¢ Narrated by Andrea Emmes ā± Duration: 8 hours š·ļø Publisher: Tantor Media & MIT Press
I have been on a bit of a personal crusade lately, reading books about artificial intelligence and how it is shaping our lives, our decision-making, and even the way we think. Artificial Unintelligence felt like a refreshing detour in that journey. Instead of celebrating AI as the shiny solution to everything, Meredith Broussard steps back and asks a much more important question: what if technology isnāt always the answer? Meredith Broussard brings a rare blend of critical insight and storytelling, reminding us that not every problem needs a code-based solution. Her arguments against ātechnochauvinismā (the worship of technology as a cure-all) land especially hard in a world obsessed with innovation for innovation's sake.
Broussard writes from a place of deep expertise. As a data journalist and research director at NYU, she brings both technical understanding and journalistic curiosity to the table. What stood out to me was how she broke down complex concepts without turning the book into a dense academic textbook. The explanations are technically sound, but they remain accessible and engaging for readers who are simply curious about the realities behind AI.
Some of the case studies she discusses were familiar to me from other AI books Iāve read. However, the way she approached them felt different. Instead of simply presenting examples, she digs into the logic behind the technology and shows where systems fail or fall short. Considering this book was published in 2018, itās almost startling how relevant it still feels today. The warnings she raises about blindly trusting algorithms and digital systems continue to echo in conversations about AI even now.
Would I recommend it? Artificial Unintelligence is essential reading for anyone trying to make sense of AIās promises versus its pitfalls. Itās smart, digestible, and surprisingly hopeful about our human role in an automated world. If you are curious about artificial intelligence but donāt want to dive into a dry technical manual, this is a fantastic place to start. Itās informative, engaging, and surprisingly thought-provoking. Broussard does a great job of explaining not just how AI works, but why we should question the assumption that computers always know best.
š§ Listened in audio š¢ Narrated by Andrea Emmes ā± Duration: 8 hours š·ļø Publisher: Tantor Media & MIT Press
I have been on a bit of a personal crusade lately, reading books about artificial intelligence and how it is shaping our lives, our decision-making, and even the way we think. Artificial Unintelligence felt like a refreshing detour in that journey. Instead of celebrating AI as the shiny solution to everything, Meredith Broussard steps back and asks a much more important question: what if technology isnāt always the answer? Meredith Broussard brings a rare blend of critical insight and storytelling, reminding us that not every problem needs a code-based solution. Her arguments against ātechnochauvinismā (the worship of technology as a cure-all) land especially hard in a world obsessed with innovation for innovation's sake.
Broussard writes from a place of deep expertise. As a data journalist and research director at NYU, she brings both technical understanding and journalistic curiosity to the table. What stood out to me was how she broke down complex concepts without turning the book into a dense academic textbook. The explanations are technically sound, but they remain accessible and engaging for readers who are simply curious about the realities behind AI.
Some of the case studies she discusses were familiar to me from other AI books Iāve read. However, the way she approached them felt different. Instead of simply presenting examples, she digs into the logic behind the technology and shows where systems fail or fall short. Considering this book was published in 2018, itās almost startling how relevant it still feels today. The warnings she raises about blindly trusting algorithms and digital systems continue to echo in conversations about AI even now.
Would I recommend it? Artificial Unintelligence is essential reading for anyone trying to make sense of AIās promises versus its pitfalls. Itās smart, digestible, and surprisingly hopeful about our human role in an automated world. If you are curious about artificial intelligence but donāt want to dive into a dry technical manual, this is a fantastic place to start. Itās informative, engaging, and surprisingly thought-provoking. Broussard does a great job of explaining not just how AI works, but why we should question the assumption that computers always know best.