Welcome to AI: A Human Guide to Artificial Intelligence

by David L. Shrier

A fascinating guide to the rapidly advancing world of artificial intelligence and how this powerful technology will impact our lives, our careers, and our world.

Artificial intelligence is driving workforce disruption on a scale not seen since the Industrial Revolution.

In schools and universities AI technology has forced a reevaluation of the way students are taught and assessed. Meanwhile, ChatGPT has become a cultural phenomenon, reaching a hundred million users and attracting a reputed $1 trillion investor interest in its parent company, OpenAI.

The race to dominate the generative AI market is accelerating at breakneck speed, inspiring breathless headlines and immense public interest.

Welcome to AI provides a rare view into a frontier area of computer science that will change everything about how you live and work. Read this book and better understand how to succeed in the AI-enabled future.

Genres: Artificial Intelligence, Business, Audiobook, Technology, Nonfiction

238 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 5, 2024

Reviews

[Bharath · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provides an introductory view of Artificial Intelligence.

As expected, the book starts with the attention chatgpt is receiving and traces the progress from the work done by Google. AI is estimated to have impacted Brexit and the US elections with some players deliberately creating chatter around the topic. Facebook he points out represented a turning point in the polarization we see in many countries today. The impact AI will have on jobs is discussed and the need for cognitive flexibility being important. Getting to Responsible AI, with adequate protection via legislation is an urgent imperative.

I found the coverage very basic in nature. I would have expected to see more content around the impact of AI across industries and job roles. The content is largely based on common sense conjecture and most opinions included do not come across as that based on expertise in the field.

Thanks to Netgalley, Harvard Business Review Press and the author for a free electronic review copy.

[Steve Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Stevo’s Novel Ideas, I am a long-time book reviewer, member of the media, an Influencer, and a content provider. I received this book as a review copy from either the author, the publisher or a publicist. I have not been compensated for this recommendation. I have selected it as Stevo's Business Book of the Week for the week of 3/10, as it stands heads above other recently published books on this topic.

[Darya · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most engaging books about the future of humanity and artificial intelligence with interesting predit, ideas and suggestions can give you a good food for thought. There is a comprehensive overview of artificial intelligence and it's development where you can learn what it took for the technology to get to the level of today's use and ability to support humans. The storytelling in the book helps to understand the topic and learn about application scenarios for artificial intelligence technologies. There are some ideas on where the future lays and how it can influence all of us. Really thoughtful book, would recommend reading.

[Books Tea Magic · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an editor I recognize how the prominent emergence of AI over the past year has altered the world of writing. It’s fascinating to consider how AI impacts academia — and with two daughters in private New England universities it’s been interesting to watch the professors adapt and implement strategies and policies to limit the use of AI for students. This book explains the evolution while also shining a spotlight on the numerous realms AI influences that I hadn’t previously considered. It’s quite ubiquitous and it’s important to carefully consider all aspects, and enact policies while simultaneously acknowledging the previously unheard of opportunities AI presents. Hence the reason I read this book. It’s academic for sure, but not only is it a worthwhile read, I feel it’s imperative for us to learn as much as we can about AI to better understand what’s happening now and what's coming.

[Oscar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What an amazing book about AI, how it came about, and where it might be going--and why. Like everything in life, we need to take it with a grain of salt. That grain of salt can be a pain if we decide to go to a negative future--Or, it can be a sweet flavor added by the same grain of salt, like in the case of adding salt to watermelon. Interesting, isn't it?

I think that is the main point from this book, or any book about AI--although some of them do place a lot of weight on negatives in comparison to "possible" positives.
I guess it all comes down to the actual life experience of the author--thus causing him or her to go that way--No one is to blame, really. We all make our own reality, regardless of the actual reality.

Very much enjoyed the fact that this author addresses just about everything AI can do for us, either way--as a positive force and as a negative force too. And as usual too, only time will tell what direction it will take. Bottom line, it is always up to us, even when done unwittingly, we decide. Remember, even when we do not participate, we are participating by choosing not to get involved.

Definitely looking forward to seeing new things pop up with the new AI trends coming about just about every day. Especially in the field of medicine--I hope it can help us prevent illness, not just treating or cutting them out, after they show up--We need to learn to prevent, always.
As sometimes, when we find out we are ill--some of those illnesses, and there are many--do not have a cure--yet.

[Milene · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall the flow of the book, chapters and subchapters is lacking logical connections. It feels more like a collection of high-level generic thoughts put on paper hardly supported by research or science in this field (although the number of papers on this subject is actually quite intense).
To the specifics, if you are looking for a book to better understand AI technologies, this is not the right book for you. The author lightly touched about the "history of AI" by depicting a incomplete landscape of the different AI technologies and models. When I say light touch understand really barely surfaced.
Then each chapter is a bit unsubstantial and depicts the abstract author's point of view on how AI could change the future of the corporate state. What was a bit puzzling for me is that most of author "forward" looking view was actually describing a present state rather than future view.
Finally, on a more positive note, which is actually the reason why I gave it at least two stars, the book was easy to read although not really informative in my point of view. In conclusion I am glad I was able to access it for free in the library rather than buying it

[Jason Wrench · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to AI: A Human Guide to Artificial Intelligence by David L. Shrier is a quick introduction to the world of artificial intelligence and its place in the modern organization. As a social scientist in organizational communication and artificial intelligence, I was really excited to read this book.

The book itself is a really good introduction for people who are looking to understand the current role that generative AI plays in the modern workplace and what role AI in general may play in the business of tomorrow.

I think Shrier takes a balanced approach to the topic, but I’m sure some of the AI doomers will see his depiction of the positive and negative aspects of AI as being a bit rosy.

If you are looking for a book on how to really use AI in the nitty gritty of machine learning and training AI models as a computer scientist, this book is not for you.

I want to thank the publisher for the opportunity to review this book prior to publication. Although I am thankful for the opportunity, the review is completely mine. I also ended up buying the audio book, which I found enjoyable.

[Reid Burroughs · Rating 5 out of 5]

📖 Welcome to AI: A Human Guide to Artificial Intelligence by David L. Shrier

This book isn’t long—just about 200 pages—so some readers will breeze through it in a few hours (a little nod to those who always brag about how fast they read).

More importantly, it’s an excellent source for students and those entering the workforce who want to understand the tools AI offers, including generative AI. Shrier does a good job not just of explaining what AI can do, but of showing how to “learn to learn” in an age where technology keeps changing.

The book closes with some futurist ideas about building a world that uses AI responsibly, with a thoughtful look at the role of government funding and policy in shaping technological development.

Verdict: A short, clear, and practical introduction—especially useful for anyone at the start of their career or studies who wants a grounding in AI’s possibilities and challenges.

[Dimitri · Rating 5 out of 5]

📕 Why (Not) to read this book (Target Audience)

Interesting human centric approach.

👀 How this book changed my daily live (Takeaways)

1. Job evolution & displacement is Human + AI
2. Knowledge is a commodoty
3. Threats of Ai in ethics
a. Bias / halucination
b. Copyright / Intelectual Property


⁉ Spoiler Alerts (Highlights)

Expert systems -> Q&A programmed by humans -> structured data
Machine Learning systems -> Trained on large volumes of data

Data
1. Structured
2. Unstructured

Learning
1. Supervised -> recaptcha
2. Umsupervised -> statistical grouping

Evolution
1. Neural networks
2. Deep learning -> layered neural networks
3. Generative AI -> Predictive
4. AGI -> Artificial General Intelligence

[Anthony Deluca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book explaining the past, present, and future of AI. The author has their own perspective but also highlights facts and other views, some complimentary and some opposing. This book will quickly become somewhat obsolete (Bard referenced which has already been changed to be called Gemini) so I hope the author publishes updated editions in the coming years. I liked this book so much I will be looking at other books by the same author on other topics.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides useful insights about AI and how to navigate the world as this technology becomes more integrated in our lives. Readers will find ways on how we can augment this tech to our daily activities. It also provides sone advice on what we should do to defend ourselves against disruption.

[Matthew Gregory · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was definitely a scratch on the surface book. Not a lot of resources and in depth information. Mainly speculation and theory with some useful info but little that I have not heard elsewhere. But most of what's in here I have already heard on the popular media. Good read for someone with zero info on AI for sure.

[Ricardo Urresti · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author presents a standard structure for a book on the AI Theme: history, technology, ethics, impact on society - a good summary in a nutshell. On the other hand, opinions are debatable, as there are other standpoints that readers should take in consideration. Not a definitive book, but a fair overview.

[Jitendra Vishen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book talks about the impact of AI in our life. From bots impacting democratic elections to producing test results of a new drug. You name the industry and the AI impact will be there.

I think this book is easy to read and understand. even if you are not a technical person and not a computer savvy you should be able to understand.

I rate this book 5/5.

[Lindsey Hartsfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book! “Welcome to AI” is an easy, engaging read that breaks down artificial intelligence in a way anyone can follow. If you’re already in tech, most of it will feel very familiar, but it’s still a fun and thoughtful take. Shrier’s clear explanations and approachable style make it both enjoyable and insightful. A five star read for anyone who’s curious about AI!

[Chris Vernon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shrier is an academic at Imperial and Oxford with various private sector involvements. This book doesn’t add much: the ‘history of AI’ section is brief, technical aspects are glossed over, the societal impacts are unoriginal – there are many better books on AI out there.

[Scott Mankowitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprehensive and insightful, the author describes the mechanics of AI, the dangers of AI (with real-world evidence, not just science fiction), and a glimmer of hope for industries that are likely to be demolished by AI over the next 20 years.

[Rolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid introduction to the most urgent issues facing the use of AI technology in the creative professions, especially the academy. It is rather introductory in nature, and the author is a bit more optimistic about the future than I am, but it was still very helpful and useful.

[Alexia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good update on what is going on with AI. Not a ton of brilliant insights but good stuff for the most part

[Prabhakar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holistic book on the topic.

[Ivaylo Dimitrov · Rating 1 out of 5]

>*Read title* "Welcome to AI"
>*Check inside*
>politics

[Endre Dyrøy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Better at describing study techniques than informing about AI.

[Lowell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a fan of most HBR literature I come across, and found this a sufficiently useful introduction to emerging AI. Had to push myself to finish this, so as a reading experience it didn't do it for me. But, yes, useful for the average professional who should be aware of an emerging technology that they (I) need to better utilize in their (my) career.