Is the Algorithm Plotting Against Us? Kenneth Wenger

Description

Artificial intelligence is everywhere—it’s in our houses and phones and cars. AI makes decisions about what we should buy, watch, and read, and it won’t be long before AI’s in our hospitals, combing through our records. Maybe soon it will even be deciding who’s innocent, and who goes to jail . . . But most of us don’t understand how AI works. We hardly know what it is. In "Is the Algorithm Plotting Against Us?", AI expert Kenneth Wenger deftly explains the complexity at AI’s heart, demonstrating its potential and exposing its shortfalls. Wenger empowers readers to answer the question—What exactly is AI?—at a time when its hold on tech, society, and our imagination is only getting stronger.

Review: Is the Algorithm Plotting Against Us?

I thought I would share with you, Is the Algorithm Plotting Against Us? by Kenneth Wenger, an AI expert and computer scientist.

Wenger explains this book is a layperson's guide to understanding artificial intelligence—its potential, limitations, and societal impact. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is machine-displayed intelligence that simulates human behavior or thinking and can be trained to solve specific problems. 

In analyzing the information I want readers to know the book may be geared for the layperson but still is a lot to take in due to the complexity. Throughout much of the book Wenger talks about the use of Logic gates which control flow and decision systems that form the backbone of programming language

Keep in mind that many of us already use AI for a number of things as algorithms can analyze extensive amounts of data to personalize products, services, and experiences.  

The main portion of the book is broken down into chapters.

Chapter 1. Discusses the first artificial neuron created by humans.

Chapter 2 Examines the problems that computer vision presents.

Chapter 3 Analyzes artificial neural networks. It looks more closely at information processing and describes the training processes to assist in understanding the limitations.

Chapter 4  Discusses the risks and rewards of AI.

To many, it is no surprise companies promise futuristic chips - chips that can be inserted into our brains and interface with our neural connections. In considering a neural connection one will need to explore the fact that our actions have the potential to have unintended harmful consequences.

The section that I really keyed in on was where Wenger discusses the process that depends on the aggregate of many subprocesses, the aggregate process can be modeled using the normal distribution. 

In closing out this read, I believe overfitting instead of learning underlying patterns could remain an issue. One thing is assured - we'll need to be prepared to think ahead of those looking to exploit vulnerabilities. 

I received a copy of this book from AndrĂ©s C. with  Working Fires Foundation

About the Author

Kenneth Wenger is senior director of research and innovation at CoreAVI and chief technology officer at Squint AI. His work focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence and determinism, enabling neural networks to execute in safety-critical systems. He holds several patents under CoreAVI’s auspices.

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Working Fires Foundation (May 1, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 264 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1959632019
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1959632016
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.75 x 9 inches