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Prof. Shrier presents a fantastic introduction to AI in a well-organized short book. Although he relies heavily on AI applications in business, I find this book helpful for non-business students. He structures his book in three parts that cover what AI is, how humans can complement AI's capabilities with critical thinking—so that we don't get displaced in the job market, no less—and what the future might hold for us in the growing human-AI systems. I wish Chapter 6 ("What Can Human+AI Systems Do?") were expanded slightly. However, I understand Prof. Shrier might have kept it shorter for length constraints. It's a great read overall.

Yuval Noah Harari starts recounting the history of information networks. This takes him almost 200 pages before arriving at AI and the “computer network,” which, I think, are the most interesting topics he discusses. It took me a long time to go over the first 200 pages—even considering they might very well be a summary of “Sapiens” and “Homo Deus”—and a couple of days to cover the remaining 200 pages. What I’m trying to say is that, if you have patience and give the book a chance, it eventually becomes a page-turner, a brilliant account of recent history, of why AI might not be all fun and games, and of how we, humans, are entirely responsible for this “alien” technology being the next version of infornation networks—not the last.

I enjoyed the book and think it presents good advice on practicing well to become better at anything you do—even if you're an adult playing the bottom nine. It does get slow sometimes, and some of the case studies are anecdotal at best from a strictly scientific point of view. However, you will find plenty of useful little nuggets to help you get started with that thing you've been trying to get better at but feel stuck.

It should be titled "The Expectant American Father." Look, most of what the book discusses is common sense. However, there are indeed some tips and facts that will help expectant fathers, especially on how to be supportive to your partner when pregnant. Still, most of the book focuses on American culture, stats, and facts, leaving non-Americans with (a lot) of material that is simply irrelevant to you.

I already enjoyed Cory Doctorow’s Martin Hench series and his nonfiction writing. This book fits kind of in the middle of both: set in the future, it might have some sci-fi elements, but it is eerily contemporary—so much so that it can make you uncomfortable. It’s an urgent read for anyone who cares about climate change and social action.