Prophecy, Carissa Véliz

 

Prophecy: Prediction, power, and the fight for the future from ancient oracles to AI by Carissa Véliz

Started: July 23, 2026

Completed: August 31, 2026

Recommendation: Highly Recommended

Recommended By: Nobody

Media: Audio

Review:

This book is compelling making the strong argument that prediction is not telling the future it is about what the predictor wants to happen.  It is well written, artfully argued, and only a little repetative.  Anyone who references Thales of Miletus is OK in my book :).

AI Snake Oil, Narayanan and Kapoor

 

AI Snake Oil:  What artificial intelligence can do, what it can't, and how to tell the difference by Arvind Narayanan and Sayash Kapoor

Started: December 26, 2024
Completed: December 30, 2024
Recommendation: Recommended
Recommended By: Nobody

Review:

There is a bit to this book which helps people understand the nature of outrageous claims.  The takeaway from me was the means by which AI companies claim the accuracy of their product (top 3, 5, 10, etc.)  In addition, treating AI with a broad brush is a disservice to those who are attempting to understand what it is reasonable for AI to accomplish.  So, at the least useful.  Not terribly gripping, so it is good that it is short.

Weapons of Math Destruction

Weapons of Math Destruction:  How big data increases inequality and threatens democracy by Cathy O'Neil.  This book has been on my list for years.

Started: 11/29/2019

Completed: 1/1/2020

Recommendation: Recommended

Recommended By:  Nobody

Review:

The particular examples in this book are not going to age well.  Already, some are out of date--that is the side effect of writing about Information Technology in the Digital Age.  The general concepts, however, are quite solid.  The path forward laid out in the Afterword remains a good path forward even 4 years after the book was written.  Well worth the read.