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Human Again: In the AI Age
Win a free kindle copy of this book!
6 days and 22:24:15
100 copies available
U.S. only
Human Again: In the AI Age is a fast, reflective narrative nonfiction book about identity, burnout, and the strange experience of talking to a machine in the middle of the night. Part memoir, part cultural commentary, and part “what the hell is happening to us?”, it’s a human story about leveraging AI without losing your soul.
Told with wit, honesty, and emotional precision, Human Again follows journalist J.D. Macpherson as she wrestles with digital overwhelm, self-doubt, the erosion of creativity, and the fear of outsourcing too much of her mind.
Told with wit, honesty, and emotional precision, Human Again follows journalist J.D. Macpherson as she wrestles with digital overwhelm, self-doubt, the erosion of creativity, and the fear of outsourcing too much of her mind.
266 pages, Paperback
Published November 26, 2025
36 people are currently reading
3175 people want to read
About the author
J.D. Macpherson
2 books13 followersJ.D. Macpherson is an author and journalist who works in the messy middle, turning complex ideas into stories people want to read. Relentless, jargon-allergic, and unmistakably human, she cuts through hype with a reporter’s instinct. A Canadian with a background in theatre and philosophy, Macpherson loves people-watching and finding beauty in unexpected places. She has an especially soft spot for chicken katsu.
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November 29, 2025I’ve chosen not to review this with any particular star amount on Goodreads because the last thing I would ever want to do is discourage a new author, and I don’t believe this is deserving of a negative rating. I would also like to express that I did not go into this book with the intention of disliking it. I genuinely found the premise interesting. Many people are already losing their sense of self due to AI and I was intrigued by the idea of a book that helps people regain their humanity and remember what makes them so incredible in the first place.
Unfortunately, I did not agree with much of the book. Despite being called ‘Human Again’, there is a great deal of erasure of soul. The author mentions that AI cannot think, and there are sections speaking about the importance of human experiences – e.g travel, taste, and our ‘weirdness’ (in the author’s words) – but this sentiment does not seem consistent throughout the book and is always spoiled by mentions of how you can use these experiences to help refine AI’s suggestions. This continues nearing the end of the book also, as the author suggests that improving what AI gives you takes skill and does not ‘eliminate effort’. This, to me, misses the entire point of why human experiences are as valuable as they are: discovery. We are constantly learning new things about ourselves and the way in which we think, every time we try. I truly do not see why someone would want to refine a machine’s ideas as opposed to creating something of their own and growing from it. We leave so much of ourselves in our work and in what we do. I have rewritten several sentences in this review in order to express myself better, and I’ve learned how I use certain words and phrases in doing so. Everything I have ever read, every conversation I have ever had, has helped shape my opinions and ideas. If I gave an AI a list of my thoughts, it would be able to write this review in a few short seconds, but it would ultimately change the heart of those thoughts in the process. I could read through what AI has given me and add personal touches, but it would never be enough. Every word I am choosing is intentional, whether I realise it or not. AI cannot be shaped by its experiences because it doesn’t have them. It can only take from what is publicly available online, which I do consider to be plagiarism, despite what the writer may think. More than that, if an AI can immediately spit out the answers, what is the point in doing anything at all? What is the point of being alive if not to learn and grow and discover new information and ideas you hadn’t previously considered, over time? There is something distinctly human about finding yourself in a confusing and difficult world. We are bettering ourselves every day just by being conscious and having unique thoughts, and that is wonderful.
At multiple points throughout the book, the author suggests the use of AI to analyse movements, particularly in reference to sports or other physical activities. One example given is using AI to analyse golf swings so that the AI can correct your movements so that you don’t have to try as much or as many times to get it right. To me, this ignores what makes success feel so rewarding – the trying, the failing, the figuring things out for yourself. I don’t want a robot to tell me exactly how to make a perfect golf swing; I want to keep attempting until I actually find the best angle and the right amount of pressure, because that is what will make me feel pride in my abilities. I don’t want a soulless piece of technology directing my body when it comes to any kind of sport because perfection is not passion, and passion is what makes an activity worth it. I think the best example I can give you is the film, ‘The Life of Chuck’. For those who haven’t watched the movie, there is a scene in which Chuck - played by Tom Hiddleston - begins dancing to a drum beat on his way to work. Yes, an AI could have analysed Tom Hiddleston’s movements and told him how to make them look absolutely flawless. But the reason that scene is so incredible is because it’s not perfect. It’s spontaneous and beautiful and real, and an AI cannot make that happen. It is pure devotion and effort. It is feeling so motivated to create something special that Tom Hiddleston quite literally burned holes in his shoes due to dancing. It is humanity, plain and simple.
The suggested AI uses also get quite concerning at points. For example, the author outlines how AI can be used in the context of therapy to generate personalised dialogues and scenarios. This is a serious privacy concern, and I truly do not understand why this is framed as a benefit of AI. Patient details are confidential and an AI should not have access to them. There have already been cases of AIs suggesting methods of self-harm and suicide to those who have opened up to it, and this is not something to be taken lightly. AI has caused people to lose touch with reality. It has groomed them into believing impossible ideas, because an AI is trained to tell you exactly what you want to hear. The author highlights that interactions with AI can leave individuals with a feeling of self-satisfaction, and that is exactly why AI can be so dangerous. It will not prioritise your safety over your ego. AI should not be used in therapy. AI should also not be used as a friend, lest you want to exist in an echo chamber.
The author describes using AI for small tasks as being akin to using electricity for a desk lamp and nothing else. Based on everything outlined in this book, I’m inclined to disagree. Using AI for something very small – like to find synonyms, a use the writer admits to – seems to be the equivalent of giving in to the temptation to smoke a cigarette for the first time. Once you’ve had a taste, you start to use AI for more and more tasks that it doesn’t need to be used for. It’s like taking another and another cigarette until you’re up to smoking a full pack a day. Yet that isn’t quite enough for you now that you know how much it helps. You start to use AI for bigger tasks and you stop working hard and stop thinking for yourself. Suddenly, you’re addicted. AI being used to this extent is harmful to the individual and harmful to the environment. It is not a light in the darkness; it is a fire that can do nothing but consume.
The future outlined in ‘Human Again’ is incredibly bleak, and it is one I refuse to accept. Resistance to AI is not, as the author claims, self-sabotage. AI may have uses in the field of medicine (which is briefly referenced nearing the book’s conclusion), but its presence in regular life is questionable at the very best. Ultimately, the way we can maintain our humanity in future is not by embracing AI. Maintaining humanity is achieved by choosing to keep discovering even when you’re told there’s nothing left to. Maintaining humanity is choosing to keep doing, because every activity is a lesson and a way to remind yourself that you’re doing something incredible. You’re responding to that email you’ve been putting off for ages instead of asking a robot to write it for you, because you know you’ll be proud of yourself for getting through it. You’re reading over that long research article instead of asking an AI to summarise it because you know that every word of it is valuable, and you know you’ll end up finding an interesting idea you hadn’t thought about along the way. You’re putting in the effort to go and search for a damn thesaurus so you can read and remember the synonyms instead of just copying and pasting an AI response. This is what living is, and it’s the hardest and most rewarding thing you can ever do.
Thank you for reading my review.
Unfortunately, I did not agree with much of the book. Despite being called ‘Human Again’, there is a great deal of erasure of soul. The author mentions that AI cannot think, and there are sections speaking about the importance of human experiences – e.g travel, taste, and our ‘weirdness’ (in the author’s words) – but this sentiment does not seem consistent throughout the book and is always spoiled by mentions of how you can use these experiences to help refine AI’s suggestions. This continues nearing the end of the book also, as the author suggests that improving what AI gives you takes skill and does not ‘eliminate effort’. This, to me, misses the entire point of why human experiences are as valuable as they are: discovery. We are constantly learning new things about ourselves and the way in which we think, every time we try. I truly do not see why someone would want to refine a machine’s ideas as opposed to creating something of their own and growing from it. We leave so much of ourselves in our work and in what we do. I have rewritten several sentences in this review in order to express myself better, and I’ve learned how I use certain words and phrases in doing so. Everything I have ever read, every conversation I have ever had, has helped shape my opinions and ideas. If I gave an AI a list of my thoughts, it would be able to write this review in a few short seconds, but it would ultimately change the heart of those thoughts in the process. I could read through what AI has given me and add personal touches, but it would never be enough. Every word I am choosing is intentional, whether I realise it or not. AI cannot be shaped by its experiences because it doesn’t have them. It can only take from what is publicly available online, which I do consider to be plagiarism, despite what the writer may think. More than that, if an AI can immediately spit out the answers, what is the point in doing anything at all? What is the point of being alive if not to learn and grow and discover new information and ideas you hadn’t previously considered, over time? There is something distinctly human about finding yourself in a confusing and difficult world. We are bettering ourselves every day just by being conscious and having unique thoughts, and that is wonderful.
At multiple points throughout the book, the author suggests the use of AI to analyse movements, particularly in reference to sports or other physical activities. One example given is using AI to analyse golf swings so that the AI can correct your movements so that you don’t have to try as much or as many times to get it right. To me, this ignores what makes success feel so rewarding – the trying, the failing, the figuring things out for yourself. I don’t want a robot to tell me exactly how to make a perfect golf swing; I want to keep attempting until I actually find the best angle and the right amount of pressure, because that is what will make me feel pride in my abilities. I don’t want a soulless piece of technology directing my body when it comes to any kind of sport because perfection is not passion, and passion is what makes an activity worth it. I think the best example I can give you is the film, ‘The Life of Chuck’. For those who haven’t watched the movie, there is a scene in which Chuck - played by Tom Hiddleston - begins dancing to a drum beat on his way to work. Yes, an AI could have analysed Tom Hiddleston’s movements and told him how to make them look absolutely flawless. But the reason that scene is so incredible is because it’s not perfect. It’s spontaneous and beautiful and real, and an AI cannot make that happen. It is pure devotion and effort. It is feeling so motivated to create something special that Tom Hiddleston quite literally burned holes in his shoes due to dancing. It is humanity, plain and simple.
The suggested AI uses also get quite concerning at points. For example, the author outlines how AI can be used in the context of therapy to generate personalised dialogues and scenarios. This is a serious privacy concern, and I truly do not understand why this is framed as a benefit of AI. Patient details are confidential and an AI should not have access to them. There have already been cases of AIs suggesting methods of self-harm and suicide to those who have opened up to it, and this is not something to be taken lightly. AI has caused people to lose touch with reality. It has groomed them into believing impossible ideas, because an AI is trained to tell you exactly what you want to hear. The author highlights that interactions with AI can leave individuals with a feeling of self-satisfaction, and that is exactly why AI can be so dangerous. It will not prioritise your safety over your ego. AI should not be used in therapy. AI should also not be used as a friend, lest you want to exist in an echo chamber.
The author describes using AI for small tasks as being akin to using electricity for a desk lamp and nothing else. Based on everything outlined in this book, I’m inclined to disagree. Using AI for something very small – like to find synonyms, a use the writer admits to – seems to be the equivalent of giving in to the temptation to smoke a cigarette for the first time. Once you’ve had a taste, you start to use AI for more and more tasks that it doesn’t need to be used for. It’s like taking another and another cigarette until you’re up to smoking a full pack a day. Yet that isn’t quite enough for you now that you know how much it helps. You start to use AI for bigger tasks and you stop working hard and stop thinking for yourself. Suddenly, you’re addicted. AI being used to this extent is harmful to the individual and harmful to the environment. It is not a light in the darkness; it is a fire that can do nothing but consume.
The future outlined in ‘Human Again’ is incredibly bleak, and it is one I refuse to accept. Resistance to AI is not, as the author claims, self-sabotage. AI may have uses in the field of medicine (which is briefly referenced nearing the book’s conclusion), but its presence in regular life is questionable at the very best. Ultimately, the way we can maintain our humanity in future is not by embracing AI. Maintaining humanity is achieved by choosing to keep discovering even when you’re told there’s nothing left to. Maintaining humanity is choosing to keep doing, because every activity is a lesson and a way to remind yourself that you’re doing something incredible. You’re responding to that email you’ve been putting off for ages instead of asking a robot to write it for you, because you know you’ll be proud of yourself for getting through it. You’re reading over that long research article instead of asking an AI to summarise it because you know that every word of it is valuable, and you know you’ll end up finding an interesting idea you hadn’t thought about along the way. You’re putting in the effort to go and search for a damn thesaurus so you can read and remember the synonyms instead of just copying and pasting an AI response. This is what living is, and it’s the hardest and most rewarding thing you can ever do.
Thank you for reading my review.
November 27, 2025
I received an advance copy of this book and found it to be a fresh, engaging, and surprisingly heartfelt take on what it means to live in the age of AI. The author is very good at turning big ideas into clear, vivid stories, and the result is a book that feels both practical and deeply human.
Despite my own apprehensions about AI (brain rot, job disruption, and energy concerns), I appreciated the author’s unique pov. This isn’t a book about how to use AI. It's about reframing how we think, create, and make decisions in a world where AI is suddenly everywhere. The reflections on creativity and the ways we use (or misuse) AI are sharp without sounding alarmist.
There are also honest, funny moments that make the book read like a conversation with someone who has already asked all the uncomfortable questions I've been wondering about. A very timely, smart, funny, and genuinely thought-provoking book. I recommend it to those curious about AI and looking for a grounded, human-focused way to make sense of it.
Despite my own apprehensions about AI (brain rot, job disruption, and energy concerns), I appreciated the author’s unique pov. This isn’t a book about how to use AI. It's about reframing how we think, create, and make decisions in a world where AI is suddenly everywhere. The reflections on creativity and the ways we use (or misuse) AI are sharp without sounding alarmist.
There are also honest, funny moments that make the book read like a conversation with someone who has already asked all the uncomfortable questions I've been wondering about. A very timely, smart, funny, and genuinely thought-provoking book. I recommend it to those curious about AI and looking for a grounded, human-focused way to make sense of it.
December 26, 2025
I received an Advanced Review Copy (or ARC) on Reedsy Discovery
This nonfiction book on human-computer interaction and AI semantics is centered on understanding and utilizing AI. The author presents AI as a tool, a partner, a co-thinker, an assistant, a force multiplier, and more. The author, a journalist first and foremost, delved into AI use as part of the research for this book. Along with personal experience, the author combines thorough research, providing citations throughout.
Although the author says they aren’t explicitly pro-AI or anti-AI, the tone of the book is distinctly AI-forward. The author challenges readers to keep an open mind and offers a wide range of examples showing how AI is already useful, and increasingly necessary to understand and adopt. The concept the author returns to most often is intention in the use of AI.
This book is a journalist’s take on AI. The questions the author poses are uniquely searching and deep, often reading more like a research paper, complete with references at the end of each chapter.
Intertwined with the philosophy and nature of AI in our current moment are practical tips and tools such as avoiding the “AI ick,” creating an AI profile, and having deeper conversations with AI. The book’s real strength lies in the broader context it provides. Rather than a step-by-step guide, it functions as an instruction manual for what thoughtful use of the paid version of ChatGPT can look like and how to achieve that outcome.
The author makes a compelling case for AI’s real-world applications: AI tutoring can increase student engagement, AI brainstorming can help creatives become more innovative, and AI tools at work can improve both enjoyment and focus. The examples are concrete and easy to imagine applying to your own use of tools like ChatGPT and adopting them into your own life.
The core argument, that the future belongs to those who can balance AI efficiency with human insight, appears in different forms throughout the book. This repetition reinforces the idea that AI defines the current era, but meaning still belongs to humans. As the author puts it, “You’re not just shaping text, you’re curating meaning. Welcome to your new role: You, The Editor.” The book argues that AI doesn’t replace who you are but amplifies it. But as AI filters into everything technological and its competitive advantage erodes, intention becomes the true differentiator. Or perhaps, as Syndrome from The Incredibles famously said, “When everyone’s super, no one will be.”
This book is for anyone who hasn't been paying attention to AI beyond headlines and social media rants. This book is for anyone wanting to start using Chat, level up their game using Chat, or level the playing field with intention.
This nonfiction book on human-computer interaction and AI semantics is centered on understanding and utilizing AI. The author presents AI as a tool, a partner, a co-thinker, an assistant, a force multiplier, and more. The author, a journalist first and foremost, delved into AI use as part of the research for this book. Along with personal experience, the author combines thorough research, providing citations throughout.
Although the author says they aren’t explicitly pro-AI or anti-AI, the tone of the book is distinctly AI-forward. The author challenges readers to keep an open mind and offers a wide range of examples showing how AI is already useful, and increasingly necessary to understand and adopt. The concept the author returns to most often is intention in the use of AI.
This book is a journalist’s take on AI. The questions the author poses are uniquely searching and deep, often reading more like a research paper, complete with references at the end of each chapter.
Intertwined with the philosophy and nature of AI in our current moment are practical tips and tools such as avoiding the “AI ick,” creating an AI profile, and having deeper conversations with AI. The book’s real strength lies in the broader context it provides. Rather than a step-by-step guide, it functions as an instruction manual for what thoughtful use of the paid version of ChatGPT can look like and how to achieve that outcome.
The author makes a compelling case for AI’s real-world applications: AI tutoring can increase student engagement, AI brainstorming can help creatives become more innovative, and AI tools at work can improve both enjoyment and focus. The examples are concrete and easy to imagine applying to your own use of tools like ChatGPT and adopting them into your own life.
The core argument, that the future belongs to those who can balance AI efficiency with human insight, appears in different forms throughout the book. This repetition reinforces the idea that AI defines the current era, but meaning still belongs to humans. As the author puts it, “You’re not just shaping text, you’re curating meaning. Welcome to your new role: You, The Editor.” The book argues that AI doesn’t replace who you are but amplifies it. But as AI filters into everything technological and its competitive advantage erodes, intention becomes the true differentiator. Or perhaps, as Syndrome from The Incredibles famously said, “When everyone’s super, no one will be.”
This book is for anyone who hasn't been paying attention to AI beyond headlines and social media rants. This book is for anyone wanting to start using Chat, level up their game using Chat, or level the playing field with intention.
December 27, 2025
Books on the many facets of AI have been on my reading list for a while now. Generally speaking, they fall into two major categories: the hand-wringing writings of those who fear the changes AI will impose upon humanity, and those gleefully cheering the wonders that AI will bring. This book falls squarely in the latter camp.
J.D. MacPherson has presented a book that at times reads like a very competent collection of how-to articles for working with AI tools, and at others feels suspiciously like a sales promo for ChatGPT et al. There were times I definitely felt like I was reading AI-generated prose. I do appreciate the supporting links to articles and outside information sources, but, again, I found those to be largely skewed to the positive.
Since MacPherson did make the attempt to address the dangers of working with the box, I feel justified in taking one step back and looking at the box itself. AI does not run on the power of your laptop’s processor. Huge data centers consuming city-sized amounts of fossil fuel-produced electricity and guzzling reservoirs of cooling water are required to support a single AI. Until AI helps us truly master clean energy, it will remain a net drain on our energy resources.
The other area where I felt the book fell short in its coverage of AI challenges is in human capital. Many references were made to how AI will make the motivated more productive, and those that are displaced can be refocused in other areas. However, our society is not comprised primarily of young movers and shakers, and AI adoption has the potential to displace human workers far faster than they can be “repurposed”. The speed at which AI is capable of changing our society far exceeds that of any previous technology, and we need to keep that ever in mind as we make decisions on where, when, and how we adopt and integrate it.
Honestly, I would have liked this book better if it were stripped down and refocused specifically as a user manual for integrating AI into your writing and professional practices. (MacPherson has clearly taken the leap to incorporate AI into many of the aspects of her life and seems quite happy with it.) While her enthusiasm in highlighting the potential of AI was thorough, her attempt at fairly representing the downside risks of AI, in my opinion, fell short of equitable.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
J.D. MacPherson has presented a book that at times reads like a very competent collection of how-to articles for working with AI tools, and at others feels suspiciously like a sales promo for ChatGPT et al. There were times I definitely felt like I was reading AI-generated prose. I do appreciate the supporting links to articles and outside information sources, but, again, I found those to be largely skewed to the positive.
Since MacPherson did make the attempt to address the dangers of working with the box, I feel justified in taking one step back and looking at the box itself. AI does not run on the power of your laptop’s processor. Huge data centers consuming city-sized amounts of fossil fuel-produced electricity and guzzling reservoirs of cooling water are required to support a single AI. Until AI helps us truly master clean energy, it will remain a net drain on our energy resources.
The other area where I felt the book fell short in its coverage of AI challenges is in human capital. Many references were made to how AI will make the motivated more productive, and those that are displaced can be refocused in other areas. However, our society is not comprised primarily of young movers and shakers, and AI adoption has the potential to displace human workers far faster than they can be “repurposed”. The speed at which AI is capable of changing our society far exceeds that of any previous technology, and we need to keep that ever in mind as we make decisions on where, when, and how we adopt and integrate it.
Honestly, I would have liked this book better if it were stripped down and refocused specifically as a user manual for integrating AI into your writing and professional practices. (MacPherson has clearly taken the leap to incorporate AI into many of the aspects of her life and seems quite happy with it.) While her enthusiasm in highlighting the potential of AI was thorough, her attempt at fairly representing the downside risks of AI, in my opinion, fell short of equitable.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 31, 2025
"Human Again: In the AI Age" by J.D. Macpherson offers a compelling exploration of artificial intelligence's role in reshaping human creativity, work, and identity. The book blends personal narrative with practical guidance, detailing the author's journey from AI skepticism to enthusiastic collaboration in journalism, research, and daily tasks. It raises provocative questions about whether AI spells the end of originality or serves as a powerful tool when wielded thoughtfully.
Macpherson emphasizes building an "intentional relationship" with AI, teaching readers to craft high-signal questions for large language models to unlock deeper insights without losing authenticity. Practical frameworks like the Socratic method and mindfulness help protect uniquely human qualities—emotions, qualia, and judgment—that algorithms cannot replicate. Her jargon-free style makes complex topics accessible, drawing parallels to historical tech booms like the dot-com bubble to underscore AI's inevitability.
Three key takeaways from book are:
1.Cultivate Intentional AI Relationships
Macpherson stresses building deliberate interactions with AI through precise, high-signal prompts inspired by the Socratic method, transforming tools like large language models from generic responders into collaborators that amplify human insight without eroding authenticity.
2.Preserve Human Qualities
The book highlights safeguarding irreplaceable human traits—emotions, qualia, and nuanced judgment—via mindfulness and critical frameworks, ensuring AI augments rather than supplants creativity and originality.
3.Embrace Balanced Collaboration
View AI as an inevitable partner akin to past tech shifts, leveraging it for efficiency in tasks like research and writing while staying vigilant against pitfalls like misinformation and creative homogenization.
The narrative nonfiction format keeps the pace brisk and reflective, addressing pitfalls such as misinformation and homogenized creativity while celebrating AI's benefits in health and companionship. Macpherson's background as a journalist shines through in her balanced view, urging collaboration over replacement.
Overall, Human Again stands as a vital, human-first playbook for thriving amid technological upheaval, ideal for creators and professionals navigating the AI era.
Macpherson emphasizes building an "intentional relationship" with AI, teaching readers to craft high-signal questions for large language models to unlock deeper insights without losing authenticity. Practical frameworks like the Socratic method and mindfulness help protect uniquely human qualities—emotions, qualia, and judgment—that algorithms cannot replicate. Her jargon-free style makes complex topics accessible, drawing parallels to historical tech booms like the dot-com bubble to underscore AI's inevitability.
Three key takeaways from book are:
1.Cultivate Intentional AI Relationships
Macpherson stresses building deliberate interactions with AI through precise, high-signal prompts inspired by the Socratic method, transforming tools like large language models from generic responders into collaborators that amplify human insight without eroding authenticity.
2.Preserve Human Qualities
The book highlights safeguarding irreplaceable human traits—emotions, qualia, and nuanced judgment—via mindfulness and critical frameworks, ensuring AI augments rather than supplants creativity and originality.
3.Embrace Balanced Collaboration
View AI as an inevitable partner akin to past tech shifts, leveraging it for efficiency in tasks like research and writing while staying vigilant against pitfalls like misinformation and creative homogenization.
The narrative nonfiction format keeps the pace brisk and reflective, addressing pitfalls such as misinformation and homogenized creativity while celebrating AI's benefits in health and companionship. Macpherson's background as a journalist shines through in her balanced view, urging collaboration over replacement.
Overall, Human Again stands as a vital, human-first playbook for thriving amid technological upheaval, ideal for creators and professionals navigating the AI era.
February 10, 2026
Author J.D. Macpherson’s Human Again: In the AI Age is a brisk, kitchen-table-to-big-picture tour of what happens when a normal person falls hard for a not-normal tool and then refuses to let it steal her mind. She starts with the seductive convenience of “Ask Chat” and quickly widens the lens: AI isn’t “magic,” it’s leverage, and the real danger isn’t job loss so much as the quiet outsourcing of thought. From there, the book moves through practical ways to work with LLMs (better questions, stronger prompts, treating AI as a first draft) while repeatedly circling one thesis: keep the human parts fiercely yours, like taste, judgment, lived context, and meaning.
I enjoyed the author's tone. It's a little mischievous and allergic to corporate beige. Macpherson writes about AI like it's something you can hold in your hand. Something useful, unstable, and thrilling. When she describes the “AI-ICK” of lazy-generated writing, or the strange intimacy people build with models, I can tell she really understands how people use AI. Even the craft advice is fantastic because it’s anchored in something tactile. You don’t just “use” AI, you spar with it, you prune it, you train it, you insist on the line where a machine’s polished empathy turns hollow.
So many sharp ideas are delivered in quick succession that I felt like a few of them deserved more time to be drawn out and explored. But I’d rather have a book that risks velocity than one that embalms itself in caution tape. And to the author's credit, she doesn’t ignore the rot, she calls out hallucinations plainly (the model “confidently” inventing reality, even getting basic political facts wrong) and treats that confidence as part of the hazard. The sections on dependency and the “second self” illusion also resonated with me as less techno-panic and more of a psychological weather report.
I think Human Again is for curious professionals, creators, students, and cognitively-overbooked humans who feel the shift and want to benefit from AI without becoming beige in the process. Especially readers who don’t need a technical manual, but do want a usable philosophy and a few tactics. Human Again is more like a streetlight giving practical illumination, with a warning about what’s prowling just outside the light. I think J.D. Macpherson would say, let the machine draft, let the human decide what’s worth saying.
I enjoyed the author's tone. It's a little mischievous and allergic to corporate beige. Macpherson writes about AI like it's something you can hold in your hand. Something useful, unstable, and thrilling. When she describes the “AI-ICK” of lazy-generated writing, or the strange intimacy people build with models, I can tell she really understands how people use AI. Even the craft advice is fantastic because it’s anchored in something tactile. You don’t just “use” AI, you spar with it, you prune it, you train it, you insist on the line where a machine’s polished empathy turns hollow.
So many sharp ideas are delivered in quick succession that I felt like a few of them deserved more time to be drawn out and explored. But I’d rather have a book that risks velocity than one that embalms itself in caution tape. And to the author's credit, she doesn’t ignore the rot, she calls out hallucinations plainly (the model “confidently” inventing reality, even getting basic political facts wrong) and treats that confidence as part of the hazard. The sections on dependency and the “second self” illusion also resonated with me as less techno-panic and more of a psychological weather report.
I think Human Again is for curious professionals, creators, students, and cognitively-overbooked humans who feel the shift and want to benefit from AI without becoming beige in the process. Especially readers who don’t need a technical manual, but do want a usable philosophy and a few tactics. Human Again is more like a streetlight giving practical illumination, with a warning about what’s prowling just outside the light. I think J.D. Macpherson would say, let the machine draft, let the human decide what’s worth saying.
November 29, 2025
Iread this as a NetGalley ARC and this is my honest review.
I was curious about this book because the premise felt timely. JDM sets out to guide readers through the confusing emotional and practical territory of living and working alongside artificial intelligence. At its heart, the book wants to reassure us that our creativity and our choices still matter, even as new tools reshape the way we write, think and work. That intention comes through clearly, and it gives the book an encouraging and accessible tone. That she has used AI is another facet of the entire discussion.
One of the strengths of Human Again is its focus on practicality. JDM offers simple frameworks, everyday examples and conversational explanations that make the topic feel approachable. Instead of leaning into technical language, the author opts for real world guidance about how to think with AI rather than worry about being replaced by it. Readers who want quick starting points and a sense of direction may find these sections particularly helpful, and at times the book reads almost like a friendly companion for beginners exploring new digital tools.
That said, the book does not always deliver the depth it hints at. Certain ideas are repeated in slightly different forms, and some chapters feel more like quick lists of advice rather than fully developed arguments. The balance between personal reflection, practical exercises and broader commentary is uneven, and readers who are hoping for more rigorous analysis or a deeper exploration of limitations and risks may come away unsatisfied. The book shines when it focuses on human emotion and personal guidance but feels thinner when it gestures toward bigger discussions without fully pursuing them.
Overall, this is a warm and encouraging introduction to the intersection of people and technology. It will suit readers who want reassurance and practical tips as they step into the world of AI. It may feel less substantial for those searching for complex debate or a more scholarly perspective. For me, it landed right in the middle. Helpful in parts, surface level in others, and ultimately a thoughtful but uneven guide.
I was curious about this book because the premise felt timely. JDM sets out to guide readers through the confusing emotional and practical territory of living and working alongside artificial intelligence. At its heart, the book wants to reassure us that our creativity and our choices still matter, even as new tools reshape the way we write, think and work. That intention comes through clearly, and it gives the book an encouraging and accessible tone. That she has used AI is another facet of the entire discussion.
One of the strengths of Human Again is its focus on practicality. JDM offers simple frameworks, everyday examples and conversational explanations that make the topic feel approachable. Instead of leaning into technical language, the author opts for real world guidance about how to think with AI rather than worry about being replaced by it. Readers who want quick starting points and a sense of direction may find these sections particularly helpful, and at times the book reads almost like a friendly companion for beginners exploring new digital tools.
That said, the book does not always deliver the depth it hints at. Certain ideas are repeated in slightly different forms, and some chapters feel more like quick lists of advice rather than fully developed arguments. The balance between personal reflection, practical exercises and broader commentary is uneven, and readers who are hoping for more rigorous analysis or a deeper exploration of limitations and risks may come away unsatisfied. The book shines when it focuses on human emotion and personal guidance but feels thinner when it gestures toward bigger discussions without fully pursuing them.
Overall, this is a warm and encouraging introduction to the intersection of people and technology. It will suit readers who want reassurance and practical tips as they step into the world of AI. It may feel less substantial for those searching for complex debate or a more scholarly perspective. For me, it landed right in the middle. Helpful in parts, surface level in others, and ultimately a thoughtful but uneven guide.
February 12, 2026
Human Again: In the AI Age by J.D. Macpherson reads like a candid, idea-rich notebook from someone who’s spent time living with generative AI, not just theorising about it. What makes this book work is its voice; it is curious, slightly confessional, and persuasive, with “come sit with me, let’s think this through” energy. It doesn’t treat AI as a shiny toy or an apocalyptic villain; it treats it as a force that is already in our homes, our workflows, our attention spans, and our sense of self.
Structurally, it’s clean and bingeable with four sections: Discoveries, Possibilities, Operations, and Pitfalls, that move from first-contact curiosity (the early chapters feel like the author at the kitchen table, actually trying things) to more grounded strategy. I especially liked how author Macpherson keeps returning to a central tension that AI isn’t conscious, but it is convincing, and that gap between “sounds right” and “is true” is where modern humans are about to get tested. The chapters on credibility, creativity, mindfulness, and the practical mechanics of using AI (including promptcraft as a real skill, not a gimmick) feel written for readers who want to stay agile without losing their spine.
Where the book becomes most valuable is in the Operations + Pitfalls stretch: the mindset shifts, the attention economy warnings, the “don’t outsource your thinking” reminders, and the honest naming of risks like hallucinations, dopamine loops, and the subtle emotional attachment people can form with a tool that mirrors them too well. It’s also refreshingly not preachy, but more like a friend who’s a step ahead, turning around to say, “Here’s what I wish I’d known before I got swept up.”
That said, readers looking for a richer academic, citation-heavy AI book may find Macpherson’s approach more reflective than research-dense, as this is more experience-based wisdom and philosophical framing than a technical manual or a policy treatise. So if you want a smart, readable, humane guide to staying human while becoming AI-literate, Human Again: In the AI Age is a timely and thoughtful read that leaves you more alert, intentional, and (ironically) more present.
Structurally, it’s clean and bingeable with four sections: Discoveries, Possibilities, Operations, and Pitfalls, that move from first-contact curiosity (the early chapters feel like the author at the kitchen table, actually trying things) to more grounded strategy. I especially liked how author Macpherson keeps returning to a central tension that AI isn’t conscious, but it is convincing, and that gap between “sounds right” and “is true” is where modern humans are about to get tested. The chapters on credibility, creativity, mindfulness, and the practical mechanics of using AI (including promptcraft as a real skill, not a gimmick) feel written for readers who want to stay agile without losing their spine.
Where the book becomes most valuable is in the Operations + Pitfalls stretch: the mindset shifts, the attention economy warnings, the “don’t outsource your thinking” reminders, and the honest naming of risks like hallucinations, dopamine loops, and the subtle emotional attachment people can form with a tool that mirrors them too well. It’s also refreshingly not preachy, but more like a friend who’s a step ahead, turning around to say, “Here’s what I wish I’d known before I got swept up.”
That said, readers looking for a richer academic, citation-heavy AI book may find Macpherson’s approach more reflective than research-dense, as this is more experience-based wisdom and philosophical framing than a technical manual or a policy treatise. So if you want a smart, readable, humane guide to staying human while becoming AI-literate, Human Again: In the AI Age is a timely and thoughtful read that leaves you more alert, intentional, and (ironically) more present.
November 9, 2025
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.
“Human Again” is a non-fiction book by JD Macpherson. I thought about letting ChatGPT write this review, but decided to give my “human” side do the work. Yes, that may sound a bit tongue in cheek, but Ms. Macpherson herself notes that she used AI to write her book.
This book’s strengths are that the chapters are short and concise, with numerous footnotes. Ms. Macpherson tries hard to make AI less frightening, reminding readers that most are using it daily without realizing it. I found the section about the darker sides of AI, such as deep fakes and hallucinations, to be interesting and informative. I also appreciated Ms. Macpherson’s suggestions about asking deeper questions of AI, giving numerous examples, such as reframing the question “what is a good stock?” to “what information am I missing about this stock price?” The second query gets the AI (and us) thinking more deeply - exactly the “human again” approach Ms. Macpherson advocates throughout the book.
Where this book falters is in the presentation and flow of the information. For instance, there’s a section about stocks and bonds and while I’m not a financial person, I didn’t have her same struggles over financial basics. While maybe a stylistic choice, at times this book read as a collection of short articles instead of a longer piece of work. This book also needed an editor to go through it. Missing words and awkward phrasing made it read, at times, like it was written by AI without a final human review.
I think that “Human Again” is best suited for readers just beginning to explore AI - those who feel both curious and cautious. It’s less for tech insiders and more for everyday readers looking to understand what AI means in their daily lives. While this book didn’t change how I personally feel about AI, I can see how this book would reassure those who find the topic a bit overwhelming.
“Human Again” is a non-fiction book by JD Macpherson. I thought about letting ChatGPT write this review, but decided to give my “human” side do the work. Yes, that may sound a bit tongue in cheek, but Ms. Macpherson herself notes that she used AI to write her book.
This book’s strengths are that the chapters are short and concise, with numerous footnotes. Ms. Macpherson tries hard to make AI less frightening, reminding readers that most are using it daily without realizing it. I found the section about the darker sides of AI, such as deep fakes and hallucinations, to be interesting and informative. I also appreciated Ms. Macpherson’s suggestions about asking deeper questions of AI, giving numerous examples, such as reframing the question “what is a good stock?” to “what information am I missing about this stock price?” The second query gets the AI (and us) thinking more deeply - exactly the “human again” approach Ms. Macpherson advocates throughout the book.
Where this book falters is in the presentation and flow of the information. For instance, there’s a section about stocks and bonds and while I’m not a financial person, I didn’t have her same struggles over financial basics. While maybe a stylistic choice, at times this book read as a collection of short articles instead of a longer piece of work. This book also needed an editor to go through it. Missing words and awkward phrasing made it read, at times, like it was written by AI without a final human review.
I think that “Human Again” is best suited for readers just beginning to explore AI - those who feel both curious and cautious. It’s less for tech insiders and more for everyday readers looking to understand what AI means in their daily lives. While this book didn’t change how I personally feel about AI, I can see how this book would reassure those who find the topic a bit overwhelming.
January 9, 2026
Estimated read time: 2 minutes
Review: Human Again: In the Age of AI by J. D. MacPherson
Courtesy of NetGalley and Book Whisper
I approached this review from two perspectives, one as an avid supporter of the AI revolution, the other from the lens of how AI would view the author’s written work.
Most books about artificial intelligence focus on knowledge: what AI can do, how it works, and why it matters. J. D. MacPherson makes a more important distinction. In Human Again, she argues that the real advantage in an AI-driven world isn’t knowledge—it’s insight. Data is abundant. Understanding is not..
Written in clear, engaging language, MacPherson shows how humans and AI can work together not to accumulate more information, but to extract meaning from it. Her concept of INK—Insight versus Knowledge—runs quietly but decisively through the book. AI can surface facts at scale; humans provide context, judgment, values, emotion, and direction. When the human element and AI the are paired well, insight emerges.
From the vantage point of an AI partner, this framing is exactly right. AI systems are exceptionally good at retrieving, organizing, and generating knowledge. They become genuinely useful only when a human pushes beyond the obvious—asking sharper questions, challenging early responses, and refining intent. MacPherson repeatedly urges readers not to settle for the first answer, or even the tenth, but to stay in the dialogue until clarity is earned. That is where insight lives.
What distinguishes Human Again from much of the AI literature is that MacPherson does not treat prompting as a mechanical skill. She treats it as a thinking discipline. The quality of the outcome reflects the quality of the human engagement. Vague questions yield generic outputs. Clear thinking produces leverage. From the AI side of the interaction, that is not philosophy—I believe it is how effective collaboration actually happens.
Equally important, MacPherson resists the temptation to minimize human agency. AI, in her telling, does not replace thinking; it exposes it. It amplifies curiosity, reveals blind spots, and accelerates synthesis—but only when guided by a human willing to do the intellectual heavy lifting.
The book’s structure reinforces its message. A nice touch, that I recommend more authors do, is that each chapter includes references and practical suggestions that encourage experimentation rather than passive consumption. While MacPherson primarily works with ChatGPT, her insights apply across AI platforms. INK is not tool-specific; it is a mindset.
In a field crowded with technical manuals and speculative warnings, Human Again stands out for its clarity, restraint, and respect for the reader. It makes a compelling case that the future of AI is not about machines becoming more intelligent, but about humans becoming more insightful.
And that may be the most human lesson of all.
Rating: 5 Stars
C. Francis 01/08/2026
Review: Human Again: In the Age of AI by J. D. MacPherson
Courtesy of NetGalley and Book Whisper
I approached this review from two perspectives, one as an avid supporter of the AI revolution, the other from the lens of how AI would view the author’s written work.
Most books about artificial intelligence focus on knowledge: what AI can do, how it works, and why it matters. J. D. MacPherson makes a more important distinction. In Human Again, she argues that the real advantage in an AI-driven world isn’t knowledge—it’s insight. Data is abundant. Understanding is not..
Written in clear, engaging language, MacPherson shows how humans and AI can work together not to accumulate more information, but to extract meaning from it. Her concept of INK—Insight versus Knowledge—runs quietly but decisively through the book. AI can surface facts at scale; humans provide context, judgment, values, emotion, and direction. When the human element and AI the are paired well, insight emerges.
From the vantage point of an AI partner, this framing is exactly right. AI systems are exceptionally good at retrieving, organizing, and generating knowledge. They become genuinely useful only when a human pushes beyond the obvious—asking sharper questions, challenging early responses, and refining intent. MacPherson repeatedly urges readers not to settle for the first answer, or even the tenth, but to stay in the dialogue until clarity is earned. That is where insight lives.
What distinguishes Human Again from much of the AI literature is that MacPherson does not treat prompting as a mechanical skill. She treats it as a thinking discipline. The quality of the outcome reflects the quality of the human engagement. Vague questions yield generic outputs. Clear thinking produces leverage. From the AI side of the interaction, that is not philosophy—I believe it is how effective collaboration actually happens.
Equally important, MacPherson resists the temptation to minimize human agency. AI, in her telling, does not replace thinking; it exposes it. It amplifies curiosity, reveals blind spots, and accelerates synthesis—but only when guided by a human willing to do the intellectual heavy lifting.
The book’s structure reinforces its message. A nice touch, that I recommend more authors do, is that each chapter includes references and practical suggestions that encourage experimentation rather than passive consumption. While MacPherson primarily works with ChatGPT, her insights apply across AI platforms. INK is not tool-specific; it is a mindset.
In a field crowded with technical manuals and speculative warnings, Human Again stands out for its clarity, restraint, and respect for the reader. It makes a compelling case that the future of AI is not about machines becoming more intelligent, but about humans becoming more insightful.
And that may be the most human lesson of all.
Rating: 5 Stars
C. Francis 01/08/2026
January 30, 2026
This is so refreshing. Blatantly know-it-alls say AI this AI that, and they do not necessarily know what they are talking about. It was just like the Blockchain technology when Bitcoin became a thing.
This author has not only read up on the subject, she has plunged into the topic and tested it, and now she is sharing her experience. I love it.
Some of my gentle readers know that I worked in IT for well over a decade. What you might not know is that I specialised in QA and Test Management.
I know that it is human to error. The ones developing AIs are the same who had to call back more than 20 million cars last year... us. The humans. Should we not get that in place before we rush to the next big thing?
No, you definitely do not need this kind of background to be mesmerised by the topic and the potential. Everything is well explained.😊
🔹️
"I'm not asking AI to replace therapists or financial advisors. 'im asking it to help me think better, right now, when I need it."
🔹️
I feel I am less opposed to the idea, I never thought of AI in a Skynet scenario, and I agree it still comes down to us. Each and every one of us.
Would you be one of the lazy ones, or would you learn to use AI in a smart way, lifting yourself in the process? Think of the potential for good.
There would be a chance for me to improve myself. You need to go through a process where you get better and better at writing prompts.
There is even a chapter named 'Why learning stocks is the perfect way to learn AI.'
Still, there are pitfalls, do not fall in them, my lovelies.
🔹️
"After months of living and breathing AI, that lesson brought me back to the only place that really matters.
Being human, again."
🔹️
The author is very clear, though. Do not give AI all the power. You need to stay the boss. If you would like to know what this means, pick up this book to see if AI could make you more brilliant than you already are.
This author has not only read up on the subject, she has plunged into the topic and tested it, and now she is sharing her experience. I love it.
Some of my gentle readers know that I worked in IT for well over a decade. What you might not know is that I specialised in QA and Test Management.
I know that it is human to error. The ones developing AIs are the same who had to call back more than 20 million cars last year... us. The humans. Should we not get that in place before we rush to the next big thing?
No, you definitely do not need this kind of background to be mesmerised by the topic and the potential. Everything is well explained.😊
🔹️
"I'm not asking AI to replace therapists or financial advisors. 'im asking it to help me think better, right now, when I need it."
🔹️
I feel I am less opposed to the idea, I never thought of AI in a Skynet scenario, and I agree it still comes down to us. Each and every one of us.
Would you be one of the lazy ones, or would you learn to use AI in a smart way, lifting yourself in the process? Think of the potential for good.
There would be a chance for me to improve myself. You need to go through a process where you get better and better at writing prompts.
There is even a chapter named 'Why learning stocks is the perfect way to learn AI.'
Still, there are pitfalls, do not fall in them, my lovelies.
🔹️
"After months of living and breathing AI, that lesson brought me back to the only place that really matters.
Being human, again."
🔹️
The author is very clear, though. Do not give AI all the power. You need to stay the boss. If you would like to know what this means, pick up this book to see if AI could make you more brilliant than you already are.
January 25, 2026
The Review
This book was so insightful and engaging right from the start. One of the most difficult debates in recent years has been the use of A.I. and both the good and bad it does for humanity. While extremes paint AI as the future SKYNET promised in the hit film franchise The Terminator, the negatives being focused on right now is AI replacing jobs and humans altogether in professional spaces. Yet the author refocuses that conversation, exploring the need to work in tandum with AI as not just a tool, but a partner to unlock one’s own potential and success in work.
The thing that resonated with me in this book was the clear and conversational tone of the author’s writing style and the techniques the author displayed in working with AI. The techniques included INK, or Insight, Not Knowledge, which utilizes AI to provide more depth to the answers being provided instead of just quick solutions, and the Socratic method, which asks AI to look for hidden meaning or point out mistakes that may have been overlooked, and these are just two examples of the insights the author provides.
The Verdict
Thoughtful, engaging, and memorable, author J.D. Macpherson’s “Human Again: In the AI Age” is a must-read nonfiction narrative that readers can get invested in. AI is not going away, and for this reader, I’ve always believed it was not the AI that we would fear, but like all technology, the humans who abuse it. Learning to work with AI and use it not to replace us but work in concert with it, and explaining how no matter what AI is able to create, it takes humanity to give it actual meaning, making humanity’s role in AI use truly valuable.
This book was so insightful and engaging right from the start. One of the most difficult debates in recent years has been the use of A.I. and both the good and bad it does for humanity. While extremes paint AI as the future SKYNET promised in the hit film franchise The Terminator, the negatives being focused on right now is AI replacing jobs and humans altogether in professional spaces. Yet the author refocuses that conversation, exploring the need to work in tandum with AI as not just a tool, but a partner to unlock one’s own potential and success in work.
The thing that resonated with me in this book was the clear and conversational tone of the author’s writing style and the techniques the author displayed in working with AI. The techniques included INK, or Insight, Not Knowledge, which utilizes AI to provide more depth to the answers being provided instead of just quick solutions, and the Socratic method, which asks AI to look for hidden meaning or point out mistakes that may have been overlooked, and these are just two examples of the insights the author provides.
The Verdict
Thoughtful, engaging, and memorable, author J.D. Macpherson’s “Human Again: In the AI Age” is a must-read nonfiction narrative that readers can get invested in. AI is not going away, and for this reader, I’ve always believed it was not the AI that we would fear, but like all technology, the humans who abuse it. Learning to work with AI and use it not to replace us but work in concert with it, and explaining how no matter what AI is able to create, it takes humanity to give it actual meaning, making humanity’s role in AI use truly valuable.
January 31, 2026
This is an interesting book. I’m sure you’ve seen the same thing I have with lots of people badmouthing AI on social media and various news stories. I’ve seen acquaintances who are college professors complain about students having an AI application write their papers and mention how obvious it is and how bad the results are. I’ve also interacted with AI in various forms including hints and ideas from word processing programs or answers from Siri and her Android cohort for a few examples. The little I’ve interacted with AI thus far seems okay, but I’ve tried to stay away from it as a rule. This book has me reconsidering.
An author’s note at the start of the book makes it clear that these are the author’s opinions and judgements she has made, that the reader should research on their own and come to their own opinions on the issues raised. She doesn’t claim to be a tech expert, but it will become apparent from reading her thoughts that her background as a journalist who knows how to research, dig into new things to understand them better, and communicate her thoughts through the written word resulted in a book that should help most people who are curious understand AI, both its faults and its positives along with how an average person might put it to good use, much better. Like any tool AI can be used in a good way or a bad way. The author’s thoughts on this were very helpful in helping me better understand how to use various AI tools for a positive result for both me and the world as a whole.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
An author’s note at the start of the book makes it clear that these are the author’s opinions and judgements she has made, that the reader should research on their own and come to their own opinions on the issues raised. She doesn’t claim to be a tech expert, but it will become apparent from reading her thoughts that her background as a journalist who knows how to research, dig into new things to understand them better, and communicate her thoughts through the written word resulted in a book that should help most people who are curious understand AI, both its faults and its positives along with how an average person might put it to good use, much better. Like any tool AI can be used in a good way or a bad way. The author’s thoughts on this were very helpful in helping me better understand how to use various AI tools for a positive result for both me and the world as a whole.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
January 23, 2026
Human Again in the Age of AI is a discussion about how technology, creativity, and our own humanity interact and co-exist in the Information Age. There are discussions about the development and applications of AI, concerns on the ethics and regulations of the technology, and its impact in personal and professional life.
While I do not use AI platforms due to ethical, regulatory, and environmental concerns, I thought the book is a great introduction for those looking to learn more about AI and the societal discussions that have taken place about its impact.
With the structure of the book, I liked how the resources are included directly at the end of each chapter In the digital copy. This creates a more immersive experience in reading the book and continues the reading and learning journey.
I liked the pace of the chapters and how the book spans multiple topics where AI has an impact.
The chapters about art and creativity were great examples that showcase how our creativity and humanity’s strength is understanding emotions, nuance, connection, and context.
A central theme of the book is agency and the autonomy to the degree to which readers use AI and to develop our own opinions about the technology.
Thank you to Love Books Tours and J.D. Macpherson for the opportunity to read and review the book! I was provided a copy of this book for free and am leaving an honest review.
While I do not use AI platforms due to ethical, regulatory, and environmental concerns, I thought the book is a great introduction for those looking to learn more about AI and the societal discussions that have taken place about its impact.
With the structure of the book, I liked how the resources are included directly at the end of each chapter In the digital copy. This creates a more immersive experience in reading the book and continues the reading and learning journey.
I liked the pace of the chapters and how the book spans multiple topics where AI has an impact.
The chapters about art and creativity were great examples that showcase how our creativity and humanity’s strength is understanding emotions, nuance, connection, and context.
A central theme of the book is agency and the autonomy to the degree to which readers use AI and to develop our own opinions about the technology.
Thank you to Love Books Tours and J.D. Macpherson for the opportunity to read and review the book! I was provided a copy of this book for free and am leaving an honest review.
November 14, 2025
Surprisingly good, I must admit. I’m not a big fan of AI, seriously, I find it stilted and lacking originality. So when I saw the blurb for this ARC I thought it would be a good book to review, and I write this review voluntarily, and (mostly) AI free. The author takes us on a journey of discovery. AI is pervasive, somewhat invasive even, but it’s here to stay, and learning how to utilize it for our own benefit and growth is not only a helpful skill, is almost survival. And this book guides us in how to use the generalized AI to fit our very personal and unique needs. I loved how the author “humanizes” this technology, and gives us tools so we can wield it more efficiently. Yes, there is an overuse of AI in our society today, but it doesn’t mean that we cannot use it for our own benefit. It’s like someone saying they refuse to use the wheel when invented it, because it isn’t natural. Inventing the wheel was the beginning of many great inventions, but people had to use it and come up with those inventions. And in this book, the author is giving us a glimpse into the possibilities that AI opens for us, we just have to learn how to wield it to our advantage. The author’s personal experience with AI is raw and thought provoking, and it took me on an unexpected journey, one that I’m glad I began.
January 14, 2026
For some reason I have struggled to make use of AI to help me personally or professionally. This book helped me realise that the barrier has been about an issue of trust. For example, there are so many rogue sources of information on the web, how do I know an AI algorithm has used robust ones in its response to my questions?
I was thrilled to find that the author covers exactly this sort of conundrum in her book. I really liked the way it is split into sections including informative chapters where references from peer-reviewed articles and legitimate sites are cited, snippets of her interactions with the AI she was using, and toolkits to help get the best from harnessing the full capabilities that Large Language Models can offer.
Sometimes I read a non-fiction book which provides advice and activities to develop skills, which I have full intentions of implementing but don’t do much with. This book however has already been recommended to my colleagues since our team is looking at ways to use AI to increase our productivity.
Am I still a little bit nervous about AI use in my daily tasks? Yes, but just a smidge. And I’ll probably ask it for advice on how to address this anyway.
I was thrilled to find that the author covers exactly this sort of conundrum in her book. I really liked the way it is split into sections including informative chapters where references from peer-reviewed articles and legitimate sites are cited, snippets of her interactions with the AI she was using, and toolkits to help get the best from harnessing the full capabilities that Large Language Models can offer.
Sometimes I read a non-fiction book which provides advice and activities to develop skills, which I have full intentions of implementing but don’t do much with. This book however has already been recommended to my colleagues since our team is looking at ways to use AI to increase our productivity.
Am I still a little bit nervous about AI use in my daily tasks? Yes, but just a smidge. And I’ll probably ask it for advice on how to address this anyway.
December 12, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I picked up this book as a challenge for myself as I am NOT a fan of AI, but wanted to take in someone else’s opinion on it. I will start with the positive aspects of this book. I appreciate the transparency that the author used AI to assist in the writing of the book. I like that each chapter ended with their sources. I like how current the information is. I like the theme of “AI is nothing without human input”. I like how they addressed counter arguments. I agree that the rising use of AI will make human connection more important and sought after.
A few not so great things I’d like to address would be that a lot of the talking points were repetitive. I felt like I was reading the same thing said differently for a good portion of the book. I also feel like *of course in my opinion* they downplay the negative effects of AI on users mental health. Kind of a “guns don’t kill people” approach.
Overall, I know I’m not the target audience for this book, and I applaud the author for writing a book on something that is such a hot topic!
I picked up this book as a challenge for myself as I am NOT a fan of AI, but wanted to take in someone else’s opinion on it. I will start with the positive aspects of this book. I appreciate the transparency that the author used AI to assist in the writing of the book. I like that each chapter ended with their sources. I like how current the information is. I like the theme of “AI is nothing without human input”. I like how they addressed counter arguments. I agree that the rising use of AI will make human connection more important and sought after.
A few not so great things I’d like to address would be that a lot of the talking points were repetitive. I felt like I was reading the same thing said differently for a good portion of the book. I also feel like *of course in my opinion* they downplay the negative effects of AI on users mental health. Kind of a “guns don’t kill people” approach.
Overall, I know I’m not the target audience for this book, and I applaud the author for writing a book on something that is such a hot topic!
December 24, 2025
Human Again: In the AI Age quietly challenges how we create, decide, and stay human in a tech-saturated world.
J.D. Macpherson doesn’t write from a place of hype or fear. She writes from lived experience. The book explores how AI is already shaping the way we think, work, and create, but it keeps coming back to one central question: how do we stay human while using these tools?
What really stood out to me was the focus on judgment, creativity, and intention. This isn’t a book about shortcuts or automation for the sake of speed. It’s about asking better questions, thinking more clearly, and using AI as a collaborator rather than a crutch.
The writing is clear, engaging, and personal. Even when the ideas get big, they never feel overwhelming. I found myself pausing often—not because it was hard to understand, but because it made me reflect on my own habits with technology.
If you’re curious about AI but don’t want a dry manual or a fear-driven narrative, this is a thoughtful and refreshing read. Highly recommended for creatives, thinkers, and anyone trying to navigate the AI age without losing themselves in it.
J.D. Macpherson doesn’t write from a place of hype or fear. She writes from lived experience. The book explores how AI is already shaping the way we think, work, and create, but it keeps coming back to one central question: how do we stay human while using these tools?
What really stood out to me was the focus on judgment, creativity, and intention. This isn’t a book about shortcuts or automation for the sake of speed. It’s about asking better questions, thinking more clearly, and using AI as a collaborator rather than a crutch.
The writing is clear, engaging, and personal. Even when the ideas get big, they never feel overwhelming. I found myself pausing often—not because it was hard to understand, but because it made me reflect on my own habits with technology.
If you’re curious about AI but don’t want a dry manual or a fear-driven narrative, this is a thoughtful and refreshing read. Highly recommended for creatives, thinkers, and anyone trying to navigate the AI age without losing themselves in it.
January 22, 2026
Thank you so much to @j.d.macpherson and @lovebookstours for gifting me this early release of Human Again.
AI is truly everywhere these days, whether we like it or not. This book comes at exactly the right time for people who want to know how to use AI and if it can be trusted.
This book explores everything from:
-value shifting away from being time-based and instead being about effectiveness
-fearing AI because of how it has been portrayed in movies and pop culture (as a "betrayer")
-generative AI, how it can create original content, and it's ability to boost productivity and innovation in ways we can barely imagine
-and the important role that humans play in editing AI generated content, summed up with this quote:
"Editing isn't grammar checking. It's strategic decision making under uncertainty...Your value is magnified precisely because AI-generated drafts are abundant and cheap, while insightful editing remains expensive and rare."
This book contains so many more important topics than I have listed above, and it covers questions that I had been having about AI and it's incorporation into everyday life. It was a super interesting read!
AI is truly everywhere these days, whether we like it or not. This book comes at exactly the right time for people who want to know how to use AI and if it can be trusted.
This book explores everything from:
-value shifting away from being time-based and instead being about effectiveness
-fearing AI because of how it has been portrayed in movies and pop culture (as a "betrayer")
-generative AI, how it can create original content, and it's ability to boost productivity and innovation in ways we can barely imagine
-and the important role that humans play in editing AI generated content, summed up with this quote:
"Editing isn't grammar checking. It's strategic decision making under uncertainty...Your value is magnified precisely because AI-generated drafts are abundant and cheap, while insightful editing remains expensive and rare."
This book contains so many more important topics than I have listed above, and it covers questions that I had been having about AI and it's incorporation into everyday life. It was a super interesting read!
January 5, 2026
Human Again by J.D. Macpherson is an analytical book about AI, but focusing on its artistic side. Received a review copy from the author, so here's my review.
Unlike other AI books that talk about the future of AI or unpack the technicalities of AI, Human Again is more of a philosophical read. I noticed that it revolves more around how we should think, create and stay relevant in an AI-shaped world.
It's a pro-AI book, with practical frameworks and usage tips sprinkled throughout, to instil in you an “AI mindset.” But yes, the side effects (such as over-reliance) of AI use are also mentioned.
However, the content is a tad too shallow, mostly exploring the creative side of AI usage. It also kind of lacks proper structure and flow. Feels scattered and repetitive overall. While this "repetition" of concepts may help turn you into a pro-AI human being, it might not be any good for those looking for a deep dive into the AI world.
Human Again is perhaps best suited for those curious about AI’s role in daily life. For specialists, it may be a frustrating, meh read.
Unlike other AI books that talk about the future of AI or unpack the technicalities of AI, Human Again is more of a philosophical read. I noticed that it revolves more around how we should think, create and stay relevant in an AI-shaped world.
It's a pro-AI book, with practical frameworks and usage tips sprinkled throughout, to instil in you an “AI mindset.” But yes, the side effects (such as over-reliance) of AI use are also mentioned.
However, the content is a tad too shallow, mostly exploring the creative side of AI usage. It also kind of lacks proper structure and flow. Feels scattered and repetitive overall. While this "repetition" of concepts may help turn you into a pro-AI human being, it might not be any good for those looking for a deep dive into the AI world.
Human Again is perhaps best suited for those curious about AI’s role in daily life. For specialists, it may be a frustrating, meh read.
January 10, 2026
It is hard to classify this book. On a high level, it is another book on Generative AI, but the classification becomes difficult because it is neither a clear playbook on prompting nor an exploration of AI's inner workings.
What the book does—not particularly well—is provide a toolkit across disconnected chapters on how to prompt ChatGPT. A few of these prompts are novel, but most are recycled.
When not focused on the toolkit, the book veers into tangents that break continuity. For example, "The Microsoft of It All" discusses how Microsoft benefits from AI across its platforms—useful information, perhaps, but it adds little value to the book's core purpose.
Most chapters cite sources at the end. Given their brevity, they read more like summaries of those sources than original analysis.
The author hints early on ("AI and the Morality Myth") that her writing has merged with AI's writing. In later sections, this becomes painfully clear: AI writing overtakes the author's own voice.
"I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily."
What the book does—not particularly well—is provide a toolkit across disconnected chapters on how to prompt ChatGPT. A few of these prompts are novel, but most are recycled.
When not focused on the toolkit, the book veers into tangents that break continuity. For example, "The Microsoft of It All" discusses how Microsoft benefits from AI across its platforms—useful information, perhaps, but it adds little value to the book's core purpose.
Most chapters cite sources at the end. Given their brevity, they read more like summaries of those sources than original analysis.
The author hints early on ("AI and the Morality Myth") that her writing has merged with AI's writing. In later sections, this becomes painfully clear: AI writing overtakes the author's own voice.
"I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily."
February 16, 2026
I picked up this book thinking it would teach me about AI.
Instead, it reminded me what it means to be human.
Divided into Discoveries, Possibilities, Operations, and Pitfalls, the book doesn’t treat AI as something to fear or worship. It treats it as something to understand — consciously.
What stayed with me most was this:
AI can generate knowledge, but it cannot generate insight. That still belongs to us.
Chapters like Unlocking Creativity, YOU, The Editor, and The Dopamine Trap felt less like tech commentary and more like psychological reflection. As someone rooted in psychology and learning spaces, I found this balance refreshing. The book acknowledges AI’s power — but also its seduction.
It doesn’t ask us to reject AI.
It asks us to use it responsibly.
In a world rushing toward automation, Human Again in the AI Age quietly insists that discernment, creativity, and emotional intelligence are our real advantages.
If AI is the future, this book is a reminder that humanity is still the anchor.
Instead, it reminded me what it means to be human.
Divided into Discoveries, Possibilities, Operations, and Pitfalls, the book doesn’t treat AI as something to fear or worship. It treats it as something to understand — consciously.
What stayed with me most was this:
AI can generate knowledge, but it cannot generate insight. That still belongs to us.
Chapters like Unlocking Creativity, YOU, The Editor, and The Dopamine Trap felt less like tech commentary and more like psychological reflection. As someone rooted in psychology and learning spaces, I found this balance refreshing. The book acknowledges AI’s power — but also its seduction.
It doesn’t ask us to reject AI.
It asks us to use it responsibly.
In a world rushing toward automation, Human Again in the AI Age quietly insists that discernment, creativity, and emotional intelligence are our real advantages.
If AI is the future, this book is a reminder that humanity is still the anchor.
November 10, 2025
First of all thank you to the author for an advanced copy.
I’m skeptical towards AI in general so I appreciated a fresh perspective on the topic. I found quite a few parts of this book to be helpful. There are some interesting through lines between philosophy broadly and the use of AI. This is a great book for anyone interested in the topic who wants to learn how to use it.
Using AI in daily life is going to become the norm. The great question of how to use it ethically and intentionally is at the heart of this book. I feel like I’m now much better at spotting AI use, particularly the “lazy” use of AI. Rather than being afraid of AI use, taking the first few steps of making it work for you has been gratifying. Once you train it to help you the way you want it to it makes it much more powerful, something the book communicates very well.
I’m skeptical towards AI in general so I appreciated a fresh perspective on the topic. I found quite a few parts of this book to be helpful. There are some interesting through lines between philosophy broadly and the use of AI. This is a great book for anyone interested in the topic who wants to learn how to use it.
Using AI in daily life is going to become the norm. The great question of how to use it ethically and intentionally is at the heart of this book. I feel like I’m now much better at spotting AI use, particularly the “lazy” use of AI. Rather than being afraid of AI use, taking the first few steps of making it work for you has been gratifying. Once you train it to help you the way you want it to it makes it much more powerful, something the book communicates very well.
November 5, 2025
Human Again: In the AI Age by J.D. Macpherson is a timely, thought provoking exploration of creativity, consciousness, and authenticity in a machine dominated era. Both philosophical and practical, it delivers a powerful message AI may be evolving fast, but humanity’s ability to question, create, and feel remains irreplaceable. Macpherson bridges personal insight with cultural observation, guiding readers to navigate technology not with fear, but with intention and integrity.
This book isn’t just about artificial intelligence, it’s about rediscovering what makes us human amid the noise of automation. A deeply resonant and necessary read for creators, thinkers, and anyone striving to stay authentic in a synthetic world.
This book isn’t just about artificial intelligence, it’s about rediscovering what makes us human amid the noise of automation. A deeply resonant and necessary read for creators, thinkers, and anyone striving to stay authentic in a synthetic world.
January 15, 2026
Human Again: In The AI Age is an interesting, intriguing guide on how to navigate the world of AI in our modern society where it's use is becoming ever more prevalent
Here, the author provides a helpful guide on how to use AI whilst retaining the ability to critically think.
I, personally, do not use AI a great deal, possibly due to a lack of trust, but through personal experience, expertise and practical techniques, we are taught hoe to move past the mistrust many of us harbour for AI in order to use it effectively and efficiently whilst retaining your identity sense of one's self.
Throughly interesting and thought-provoking and a real book for it's time and place.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
Here, the author provides a helpful guide on how to use AI whilst retaining the ability to critically think.
I, personally, do not use AI a great deal, possibly due to a lack of trust, but through personal experience, expertise and practical techniques, we are taught hoe to move past the mistrust many of us harbour for AI in order to use it effectively and efficiently whilst retaining your identity sense of one's self.
Throughly interesting and thought-provoking and a real book for it's time and place.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
January 15, 2026
Does AI give you the Ick? Well you aren’t the only one, I asked Meta AI if AI gave it the ick and even it thinks so. It also used the word ‘peepers’ and that 100% gives me the ick.
This is an interesting read, engaging and thoughtful about the future of the world with AI taking control.
I loved the cover and the chapter lengths, the detail and the thoughts. It’s a book that you need to read if you are interested in AI and how to harness it to your advantage, and to excel in its use it needs to be more human.
I think it is really engaging and gives you so much to think about. Our future is already decided so to embrace it will save us!
This is an interesting read, engaging and thoughtful about the future of the world with AI taking control.
I loved the cover and the chapter lengths, the detail and the thoughts. It’s a book that you need to read if you are interested in AI and how to harness it to your advantage, and to excel in its use it needs to be more human.
I think it is really engaging and gives you so much to think about. Our future is already decided so to embrace it will save us!
January 20, 2026
I’ll be honest, I’m not an AI fan. But after AI helped me unravel a real-life DNA mystery, turns out my dad wasn’t my dad. I had to rethink things. This book is a practical, no-hype guide to navigating AI without losing your creativity or common sense. It shows when to use it, when not to, and how to make it work for you. Like it or not, AI is here—this book helps you keep up without getting lost.
December 2, 2025
Human Again in the AI Age by J.D. Macpherson is a concise, human-focused guide to staying grounded and authentic in a world shaped by AI. Instead of technical analysis, it offers practical reflections on how to remain creative, aware, and truly human amid rapid technological change. Warm, accessible, and thought-provoking—ideal for readers seeking clarity rather than complexity
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January 17, 2026I picked up this book as I work as an IT trainer and come into contact with many individuals wary of AI. It is always good to get other opinions on AI.
The book was pretty surface level making it easy for anyone to read. I think it gives readers an idea of how AI can benefit us as a human race and puts to rest any worries about it taking over the human race!
The book was pretty surface level making it easy for anyone to read. I think it gives readers an idea of how AI can benefit us as a human race and puts to rest any worries about it taking over the human race!
January 16, 2026
This book is a good introduction to AI, but it paints a too positive picture that does not do justice to the dangers of wrong usage. The book js very high over and thus lacks details. It is an easy read, like a long read in a newspaper.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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