The Reverse Centaur's Guide to Life After AI

I think the most useful thing here isn’t about AI at all: it’s the concise formulation of the idea that all technology supports power dynamics. “The most important thing about the gadget isn’t what it does, it’s who it does it for and who it does it to.” Yes, this applies to AI, but it’s a lens that should be used with all technology.

I found this book useful in its clarity. I don’t know that it’ll change anybody’s mind, but for people already prone to be skeptical of big tech’s AI obsession, it provides some useful framing, facts, and arguments.

It’s also a fun read. Which, given the subject matter, is not a given. I breezed through it; you might too.

doctorow is a bit too much of a techno-optimist for me to get fully onboard with, and the "what remains after the bubble" section is too pro-ai for my liking. as a seasoned follower of zitron there isn't anything too surprising in this book as far as the criticisms of ai are concerned. probably a good one for people who are less terminally online i.e. a bit further removed from the coal face of ai, or those who have a less critical disposition towards ai. a good one to share with your tech coworkers.

oh, and #fuckai, obviously