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Artificially Intelligent: The Very Human Story of AI
Artificially Intelligent places humans at the centre of AI’s story, making a compelling case for the role we have yet to play in technology’s transformation of our world.
The story of AI isn’t finished yet. The question is: how will you be part of it?With the unprecedented adoption of artificial intelligence and its far-reaching implications, people everywhere are witnessing the world change around them. Artificially Intelligent answers today’s most pressing questions about AI – from the fundamental to the futuristic – offering readers a new, informed worldview. In an age of unparalleled innovation and change, artificial intelligence has become the heart of our fears, discussions, and debates. Thus, AI researcher and award-winner David Eliot takes readers on a journey through the key moments and decisions that have shaped its creation and our world. A socially driven history, the book explores its technical breakthroughs and the social forces that made them possible. But this book isn’t just about the past – it’s about you. Artificially Intelligent invites readers to find their place in the story of AI, to understand its impact on their lives, and to decide what kind of future they want to help create. Artificially Intelligent tells the story of the technology the way it was meant to be told: not as an exhaustive retelling of history, nor as a prophecy of doom and gloom, but as a human story that is not yet complete.
The story of AI isn’t finished yet. The question is: how will you be part of it?With the unprecedented adoption of artificial intelligence and its far-reaching implications, people everywhere are witnessing the world change around them. Artificially Intelligent answers today’s most pressing questions about AI – from the fundamental to the futuristic – offering readers a new, informed worldview. In an age of unparalleled innovation and change, artificial intelligence has become the heart of our fears, discussions, and debates. Thus, AI researcher and award-winner David Eliot takes readers on a journey through the key moments and decisions that have shaped its creation and our world. A socially driven history, the book explores its technical breakthroughs and the social forces that made them possible. But this book isn’t just about the past – it’s about you. Artificially Intelligent invites readers to find their place in the story of AI, to understand its impact on their lives, and to decide what kind of future they want to help create. Artificially Intelligent tells the story of the technology the way it was meant to be told: not as an exhaustive retelling of history, nor as a prophecy of doom and gloom, but as a human story that is not yet complete.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published October 21, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 2, 2026
3.5 stars
This was a good primer on the history of AI and how it functions at a high level. Eliot picked and chose specific stories and people to focus on for narrative (which he acknowledges) and I felt like what he included told the story sufficiently without repetition or boring readers with too much detail.
His goal was to prepare the reader to understand the context behind AI and what's happening broadly in the field and the potential consequences, which he did effectively enough (e.g., environment, technology companies driving the conversations and government responses to AI, how AI is not objective and in fact biased from the data it uses because humans are biased, etc.).
Ultimately it's a short, punchy read and I'm glad I read it. I'm left a little unsatisfied because it doesn't go deep (nor does it claim to) and turns out that's what I'm looking for next.
He's a great speaker though! I saw him at a writer's fest and he's passionate about the subject and his detours through the entertainment industry (as a magician) and sociology degrees influence his perspectives in a way that I appreciate. Bonus points for being a local author too.
This was a good primer on the history of AI and how it functions at a high level. Eliot picked and chose specific stories and people to focus on for narrative (which he acknowledges) and I felt like what he included told the story sufficiently without repetition or boring readers with too much detail.
His goal was to prepare the reader to understand the context behind AI and what's happening broadly in the field and the potential consequences, which he did effectively enough (e.g., environment, technology companies driving the conversations and government responses to AI, how AI is not objective and in fact biased from the data it uses because humans are biased, etc.).
Ultimately it's a short, punchy read and I'm glad I read it. I'm left a little unsatisfied because it doesn't go deep (nor does it claim to) and turns out that's what I'm looking for next.
He's a great speaker though! I saw him at a writer's fest and he's passionate about the subject and his detours through the entertainment industry (as a magician) and sociology degrees influence his perspectives in a way that I appreciate. Bonus points for being a local author too.
January 13, 2026
A complex topic very well explained through some amazing stories from humanity
October 26, 2025
An interesting read! It's great to learn about where computers and the vision of artificial intelligence originated, and how society has ended up where it is today (in 2025).
It stirs questions and creates speculation in me about where AI and computing is heading into the future, so I'm eager to see what the author will produce next!
It stirs questions and creates speculation in me about where AI and computing is heading into the future, so I'm eager to see what the author will produce next!
January 21, 2026
With AI assuming the role of an inevitable presence in our present and future lives, with as yet no means in place for its regulation or oversight, the need has arisen for careful attention to its history and its potential. Consideration of the ideas promoted by David Eliot in this inaugural work is an optimal point of departure.
As the title suggests, Eliot's focus is less on the technology and more on the persons that have contributed to the evolution of AI. This indeed “very human” story begins with a comprehensive history of the development of mathematics and algorithms extending all the way back to 8th century Baghdad. The narrative unfolds by examining the contributions of not only mathematicians and scientists but also writers and philosophers, some well known, some less so, throughout 13 centuries of history across countries and cultures.
But the persons treated in this book extend past those historical contributors to the readers of the book. In the final third of the book, Eliot expands on his central thesis by emphasizing that humans are empowered to determine that its deployment will have a positive influence on society, not a deleterious one. “We, the people, get to decide what a future living with AI looks like … I want you to understand your place in the story and where you fit into it. Ask how this technology is being implemented into your life, and then ask how you would like to see it used.”
As a doctoral student specializing in AI, David Eliot certainly ranks among the top young Canadians to watch. Indeed he has already distinguished himself as a recipient of Canada’s prestigious Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation PhD Scholarship. With a fresh and lively voice and subtle humour in his writing, and possessing the valuable aptitude of explaining sophisticated concepts to a lay audience in an entertaining manner by means of clever and amusing analogies, David Eliot is poised to become a household name and to remain so for decades to come.
As the title suggests, Eliot's focus is less on the technology and more on the persons that have contributed to the evolution of AI. This indeed “very human” story begins with a comprehensive history of the development of mathematics and algorithms extending all the way back to 8th century Baghdad. The narrative unfolds by examining the contributions of not only mathematicians and scientists but also writers and philosophers, some well known, some less so, throughout 13 centuries of history across countries and cultures.
But the persons treated in this book extend past those historical contributors to the readers of the book. In the final third of the book, Eliot expands on his central thesis by emphasizing that humans are empowered to determine that its deployment will have a positive influence on society, not a deleterious one. “We, the people, get to decide what a future living with AI looks like … I want you to understand your place in the story and where you fit into it. Ask how this technology is being implemented into your life, and then ask how you would like to see it used.”
As a doctoral student specializing in AI, David Eliot certainly ranks among the top young Canadians to watch. Indeed he has already distinguished himself as a recipient of Canada’s prestigious Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation PhD Scholarship. With a fresh and lively voice and subtle humour in his writing, and possessing the valuable aptitude of explaining sophisticated concepts to a lay audience in an entertaining manner by means of clever and amusing analogies, David Eliot is poised to become a household name and to remain so for decades to come.
October 24, 2025
A great read for anyone looking for an approachable history of the development of AI from a sociologist perspective. Eliot (who I definitely don't know personally) is clearly well versed in both historical and ethical realms of AI and how it is shaping our world today.
The writing is highly approachable, despite its Foucaulian tendencies, and the way the author manages to weave a story around the facts is impeccable. This is a great first book for Eliot and I look forward to seeing what he has to offer in the future.
The authors photograph at the end though is truly the greatest part, perfectly capturing his essence. The photographer is definitely world class. I would marry her if I could.
My only complaint is that he doesn't seem to mention his biggest critic in the honourable mentions. Probably a long term friend that has done nothing but rip on every aspect of this book since it's conception. Whoever that is seems deserving of a mention if not a whole page dedicated to overwhelming thanks.
The writing is highly approachable, despite its Foucaulian tendencies, and the way the author manages to weave a story around the facts is impeccable. This is a great first book for Eliot and I look forward to seeing what he has to offer in the future.
The authors photograph at the end though is truly the greatest part, perfectly capturing his essence. The photographer is definitely world class. I would marry her if I could.
My only complaint is that he doesn't seem to mention his biggest critic in the honourable mentions. Probably a long term friend that has done nothing but rip on every aspect of this book since it's conception. Whoever that is seems deserving of a mention if not a whole page dedicated to overwhelming thanks.
July 8, 2026
Artificially Intelligent was an okay read. It did a good job of describing the broad history of the computing machine and the digital age, and how all this led to AI. But much of what the author recounts is already well-known history to many people (Al-Kharizmi, Lovelace, Turing, etc.).
I feel the book does not suitably investigate the central story of AI. There is too little AI history. Too little talk of all the characters involved in the shaping of AI (too many omissions, even for a primer). I wished for more esoteric, real-world examples of the potential merits and perils of AI. Nor did the book delve very deeply (or philosophically) into how humans may be changed by this new technology.
When I finished, I wasn't sure what this book was trying to be. In my humble opinion, I feel the book needed more digging by the author.
I feel the book does not suitably investigate the central story of AI. There is too little AI history. Too little talk of all the characters involved in the shaping of AI (too many omissions, even for a primer). I wished for more esoteric, real-world examples of the potential merits and perils of AI. Nor did the book delve very deeply (or philosophically) into how humans may be changed by this new technology.
When I finished, I wasn't sure what this book was trying to be. In my humble opinion, I feel the book needed more digging by the author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2026
Fantastic book. Eliot brings a fresh perspective to the challenges, concerns, and questions surrounding AI. He writes in a way that allows the layperson to understand the nuances and long history of a relatively new phenomenon for the general public. A must-read if you've ever questioned the mass criticisms surrounding AI.
June 10, 2026
Interesting primer on some of the history of AI and its advantages and risks. I was interested in the definition of deep learning systems (neural networks) vs simpler (and less worrisome to me) machine learning systems.
The author has a lot more enthusiasm about AI and its pioneer bros than I do.
The author has a lot more enthusiasm about AI and its pioneer bros than I do.
November 22, 2025
I got the eBook and finished it before the week was over. Very sharp, well-written for a history book, and fun to read. I learned a lot.
January 1, 2026
I really enjoyed this book, I learned a lot m. Worth the read
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews