***TLDR at the bottom!***

Alright, I know that this is probably going to be very long and could get rant-y lol. I will try and be as concise as possible. 
I think it is very important that we have a solid, unbiased nonfiction work about AI that teens can look to, and that teachers can use in class. That is what this book is being marketed as, and I really wish it were that book (and at some points throughout it showed promise of being that book) but I think altogether it is not that book.

The book is split into four parts -- parts one and two are decently serviceable, they review how we got to this point in AI (the origins, its preliminary use in games, etc.). Most of the information seems good and makes sense, but there is a slight bias towards being pro-AI and pro-technology. It mentions some aspects of what is bad about tech in general and how AI could be harmful but ultimately blames it all on the humans inputting the information into the AI code.

The third part is more even (and probably the strongest of the book). It toggles between pros and cons pretty seamlessly, but still has a couple phrases here and there that bothered me. When discussing privacy issues with AI, the author said that facial recognition is too potent a field of technology to be abandoned "even in countries where privacy is a meaningful value." Wouldn't that be all countries? I'm not sure if I was missing something there, but it just threw me off. There was another sentence that mentioned facial recognitions' ability to "calculate the likely gender of [a] person", calling it "obviously problematic for people who are nonbinary, trans, or gender nonconforming." Again, wouldn't that be all people, not just the groups listed? Again, maybe I'm missing something.

The fourth part is where it kind of went off the rails for me. There were a few futurist AI things mentioned that I think grinded my gears on a personal level (high-capacity autonomous cars ... why not just build better train infrastructure????) On top of that, there were several weirdly pro-US propagandistic phrases thrown about, ("If AI can't harm a human being, where does that leave weapons? Should we not develop them, even though hostile foreign powers are doing so?) and a whole lot of mention about China and Russia in an antagonistic manner. When speaking about China or Russia it was usually paired with the phrase "in authoritarian governments like this" or something similar, which left a bad taste in my mouth. There was also an almost side by side comparison of events happening in Philly then Seoul, and in the Seoul one, the city was described as having "a smudge of pollution darkening the horizon," while Philly was "mild... no rain or snow and little wind."

I think the TLDR would be something along the lines of:

"Shows promise of being a book that teens and educators can reference when learning about AI, but unfortunately falls short because it is too biased and poorly written in sections."

This book gives a very thorough explanation of the history behind, and the possible future of, AI technology. It provides background for the current state of AI, and it also explains the good and bad possibilities for its use in the near future. If I had one complaint, it is that it uses some fairly technical terms that it often does not explain until the end of the section. This can be limiting for a YA audience if they are unfamiliar with too many terms that they believe will not be defined.

Was looking at this as a possible resource to introduce AI to our middle school and the ethical use of it in our classes. However, I found parts of Brockenbrough's work to be a little too much for a middle school crowd - this would be a wonderful addition to a high school library. I love how outlined and easily referenced usage is here.

This book for teens and adults explains how AI will have an unparalleled impact on our world. Explore the evolution and achievements of AI, as well as the concerns it presents. Gain insights into how this transformative technology is shaping our lives, and learn how to harness its potential while preparing for its profound influence.

This book is a helpful introduction to AI. It’s informative and easy-to-read.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

In "Future Tense: How We Made Artificial Intelligence—and How It Will Change Everything," Martha Brockenbrough takes readers on a captivating journey through the history, present, and potential future of artificial intelligence (AI). With a balanced and engaging approach, Brockenbrough demystifies AI, exploring its roots, its current applications, and its potential to reshape our world.

The book's early chapters provide a thorough foundation, tracing AI's history from ancient ideas to modern technological developments. While the language in this section may be dense at times, Brockenbrough's clarity in technical explanations and respect for young readers' intelligence shines through. As the book progresses to modern applications, the writing becomes more engaging, tying AI to students' lives through relatable examples and covering the broader international context.

Brockenbrough presents both the positive and negative aspects of AI, from its potential to revolutionize healthcare and solve complex problems to the risks of surveillance, deception, and bias. The author maintains a careful neutrality while making clear ethical judgments regarding certain uses of AI, such as privacy violations and the manipulation of opinions and emotions.

One of the book's strengths is its emphasis on the diverse humans behind AI's creation and the need for wisdom, humility, and ethics in its development. Brockenbrough invites readers to think critically about AI's promise and its growing presence in our daily lives.

"Future Tense" is an important and timely read for teens and adults alike. With comprehensive research, rigorous documentation, and accessible prose, Brockenbrough has created a valuable resource for classrooms, libraries, and anyone seeking to understand the complexities and implications of artificial intelligence. This book is a must-read for those who want to be informed and prepared for the future that AI will undoubtedly shape.

First of all, thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for the advance copy of Future Tense. Martha Brockenbrough is one name I feel I can always count on when it comes to solid YA nonfiction, and Future Tense ranks right up there with her best work. With AI becoming a fire-hot topic in the world of eduction, thereby impacting students, I think this look behind the curtain is helpful for students and teachers alike. Interesting and full of information, Future Tense deserves a place on bookshelves.