Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

In the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, “The AI Dilemma” is a beacon of clarity, guiding us through the murky waters of ethical AI development. Authors Juliette Powell and Art Kleiner embark on a mission to demystify the complexities surrounding AI, offering a compass in the form of seven principles to steer technology towards a responsible future.

The book is a meticulous tapestry woven with threads of philosophy, technology, and morality, presenting a narrative that is as compelling as it is enlightening.

The authors’ expertise shines through each page, as they dissect the “Triple-A” systems—algorithmic, autonomous, and automated—revealing the human and social elements that are as integral to these systems as the technology itself.

Powell and Kleiner’s exploration is not just a technical audit of AI systems; it is a philosophical journey that questions the very essence of human control in an age where machines are increasingly liberated from our superintendence. The seven principles—risk, transparency, protection of personal data rights, accountability, structural integrity, psychological safety, and creative friction—are not mere guidelines but are presented as the pillars upon which the future of AI should be built.

The book’s strength lies in its ability to translate complex technical jargon into accessible concepts without sacrificing depth. It is a rare find that manages to cater to both the uninitiated and experts, providing a comprehensive overview without overwhelming .

One of the most striking aspects of “The AI Dilemma” is its balanced approach. The authors acknowledge the potential of AI to amplify human bias, enable fraud, and harm vulnerable populations, yet they remain optimistic about its capacity to reflect our best selves and support human flourishing.

“The AI Dilemma” is a thought-provoking read that challenges us to elevate our understanding and management of AI. It is a call to action for engineers, corporate leaders, social activists, and government officials alike to collaborate in harnessing the power of AI responsibly. For anyone looking to grasp the ethical considerations of AI, this book is an indispensable resource that offers not just food for thought but a feast.

Offers comprehensive information for understanding ethical and social challenges with AI. In addition, it provides a wide range of perspectives. Anyone who is interested in AI and its impact on society and more should read this book. The book in return provides actionable guidance for creating and using AI along with including the potential risks and benefits of AI.

Before retiring, I was smack dab in the middle of AI, Automation, and emerging technology. Having started out with reporting and moving on to Business Intelligence, Predictive capabilities and more, it was an exciting space to be in. However my concern has always been how AI could totally go wrong if in the wrong hands and/or used in the wrong way. This book does an excellent job at addressing the use of AI and these concerns. 

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in AI and keep in mind that AI should never have a goal of replacing workers, but rather to bring large amounts of data and knowledge together and get results more rapidly…and deploying humans to other areas where they can further grow the business and enterprise.

I requested an ARC of this book through NetGalley because I feel that this is a pressing issue. AI has been around for decades, but the recent emergence of free AI art apps and ChatGPT has made it much more relevant to the average person. Whereas before, AI was controlled by technicians and software developers, now we all have access to AI and can use it creatively to further our personal goals.

This, of course, comes with some danger, and not of the "robots are going to take over the world" variety. AI vastly decreases the amount of time and resources it takes to create something, which can lead to all kinds of misinformation being spread even faster than before. Some concerns I have that this book did NOT mention specifically: book publishers being inundated with AI-written stories, students cheating in class with AI-written essays, and AI chatbots "citing sources" that are completely made up.

What this book focuses on is more of the big picture issues: who is training the AI? What data sets are we using? Who is regulating the uses of AI? What are the driving factors behind AI optimization (is the goal "profits" or the common good?)? How can we ensure that AI is not discriminatory, if it's working with a biased data set?

I think all of these are great questions, and it's important for us to think about what we've let loose with this Pandora's Box. We should all be aware of how are data is being used, how targeted ads and internet searches are shaping our lives/thinking, and how we should be holding these companies responsible for the effects of their software.

The book itself is a quick read, hitting all the major points without getting too technical and dragging. I think it's accessible to the average reader, and anyone interested in the effects of AI could get something out of it.

A Massive Thank You to the Author, the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this book prior to its release date.

An important book. This book is a great read about the settings for AI, the examples of when it went wrong and the opportunities for a framework to manage the risks going forward. Enjoyable read too! Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

Very informative! Had great ideas and things to think about! It covered the principles to consider when using technology! A great read!