What if AI does something powerfully positive in its transformation of our world? This is one of the central questions Hoffman and Beato set out to answer, and indeed offer a compelling picture of a future where AI is a positive force for change. The authors note the difference between the divided camps of those hopeful about the future and those sounding the alarm. There are ways in which the cautionary notes are sung more loudly than those of possibility, which apply to areas of privacy, policing and surveillance. What I appreciated is that the authors spoke to the general consensus of AI's negative register without sharp critiques of those whose work has given us a deeper appreciation of the reasons to be cautious (i.e. Zuboff's important contribution "Surveillance Capitalism").

They stand apart from the crowd and engage the reader in a detailed conversation about what people have said, what the conversations might look like and how we can stay hopeful. They also remind readers of what AI is currently doing in our lives, and focus on the idea of it as positive where it increases our agency (while giving plenty of examples of how this is happening and how it might happen- given Hoffman's previous work and ongoing presence in tech communities, I'm calling those predictions very well-informed). I know I've read a wealth of books that sound alarms at the sharp increase and unfettered access to/from AI, so this was a refreshing read to help get the ringing of the negative possibility out of my "ears" as it were. It's not necessarily a book that ignores negatives, or critiques but that examines them under the light of practicality wherein AI won't be going away any time soon, so how do we operationalize it or put it to use in service to humanity?

One of the very compelling parts of the book was its mention of the need for a "Public Infostructure". I hadn't encountered the term before but I felt like saying to my Kindle, "NO NO, TELL ME MORE!" when I saw that it wasn't an in-depth chapter as others were. Given the keen eye and research of the authors, I would love to know more about that topic in particular as it relates to what an agentially empowered public infostructure would/could look like, particularly the notion of a public commons (the role I play as public library people), and/or where things like access to the internet may become a human right (interestingly and probably, before things like clean air or water become human rights recognized by global superpowers- what would the authors make of such a development under the banner or division of the virtual and the real agency we will be binarized by in the coming years).

Overall though, this is a great book. It's pretty satisfying as a reader when your only critique is that you wish the authors had written more because their perspective is that salient and well delivered.

Recommend this for all manner of tech experts and inquirers. I also think this could be a great leadership book to help managers and senior leaders take the lead on a positive rendering of the role of AI at their organizations; The book is informative but also models how to speak about AI in a way that forges connections appreciating possibility across difference rather than fear about it as a yet-unknown.