“How to Think About AI,” by Richard Susskind will be the subject of the February First Thursday book discussion, and it’s not a moment too soon.
Maybe, if you are a literal hermit, as in living by yourself in a cave or some other hermitage, you can avoid AI seeping into your life — for the rest of us AI is here and it’s not going away. Even if you avoid using it personally, you’re almost certainly only one degree removed from its use.
The rapid expansion of AI has led to many questions:
- Is it going to take over the world someday and if so, when?
- How do the current systems, like ChatGPT, even work? (Spoiler, even the people who built it don’t know.)
- Should we have some rules for this stuff, and what should those be?
- How much energy and other resources do AI systems require now and in the future?
- Is AI going to take my job? Or will AI do my job for me?
- How do I tell if this video or picture or writing is real or generated by AI?
Richard Susskind, a veteran in the study and application of AI, is here to address these questions and more.
Notice that the title is “HOW to Think about AI,” not “WHAT to think about AI.” Susskind shares the prevailing theories about AI and his own opinions, but makes it very clear that there is much uncertainty. Despite the uncertainty, Susskind’s systematic approach and plain (non-jargon) language bring a sense of order to the topic, laying a framework from which to understand and consider the opportunities and challenges before us.
Susskind’s writing is accessible and engaging, with real world examples and anecdotes that illuminate the broader philosophical questions he raises. If you are so inclined, I recommend the audiobook which is skillfully read by Susskind in his native Scots accent. You can enjoy the warm Scottish tones where books (sort of) rhymes with dukes and houses rhymes with gooses — which might make more sense when you think about it.
The book is also delightfully short (200 pages in the print edition and 6.5 hours of audio) but packed full of meaning with not a word wasted.
Bring your questions, criticisms and opinions to the Columbia Public Library’s Children’s Programming room on Thursday, February 5 at noon to share in our discussion. Participants who register in advance can receive a free copy of the book (while supplies last).
Until then, you can be entertained by this video about when the Wall Street Journal’s newsroom let AI run its vending machine.
