Wenger Kenneth

Post-pandemic, perhaps no STEM topic has gripped the news quite like Artificial Intelligence (AI). For almost a century (since Isaac Asimov), science-fiction writers have dreamed of computers gaining consciousness, but now, some propose those possibilities near fruition. Often, people who write about AI in the news focus solely on social aspects; those developing the technology, in contrast, focus solely on technical details. Few individuals can provide a balanced look that relates both show more levels. Kenneth Wenger’s book, fortunately, does just that by aiming to relate AI concepts to the general reading public. At 264 pages, this accessible guide can inform and elevate public dialogue to sort out fiction from fact and hype from essence.

One of the greatest impediments to reading books about AI is the math. The eyes of many folks – even including this math geek – glaze over or roll at seeing calculus or even algebra on the printed page. This book, for the most part, avoids that. Instead, he explains how AI works in plain, accessible language and unpacks how the math actually translates into action. Wenger understands English as much as he understands the technical algorithms, and it shows.

He organizes this book in an introduction, four long chapters, and a conclusion. The first three chapters are dedicated to explaining conceptually how AI “machine learning” algorithms work; only the fourth chapter discusses potential social implications. I suggest that readers not skip the first three chapters because they give readers a gut feel to what is actually possible – and importantly, what isn’t possible. After reading this book, you won’t be able to code AI, but you should be able to trace the defining features of AI from implementation in software to expression in society. The fourth chapter ties it all together with solid, reasonable analysis of social implications. Many computer folk don’t understand social impacts with levelness, and many socially prominent writers don’t understand computer science. Wenger transcends this divide and points out what we need to think about in coming months and years.

This book should receive a warm welcome, given what I see on popular news. It doesn’t fan flames of fear, nor does it promise too much. Instead, it merely informs as scientific books should. As the US Congress currently undertakes discussions on how to regulate AI, this book needs to be involved among the writers of policy. It is balanced, realistic, and expert. Journalists, too, must inform public sentiment with scientific facts, and this book can provide a informative deep dive for them as well. As a software developer myself with bookish interests, I am often put off by rampant, irresponsible speculation about the implications of AI. Wenger provides level-headed text to describe where we are. I hope the reading public is paying attention. show less

Is the Algorithm Plotting Against Us? by Kenneth Wenger is a wonderful overview, or introduction depending on your previous knowledge, of the history and current state of AI functionality as well as a glimpse both at the ethics of current and future uses.

While my first degrees were in EE which, at the time, included the burgeoning field of computer science (I had to start more Fortran programs over because someone knocked all the punch cards off my desk), once I went back to school in the show more 90s in the humanities my math skills have slowly deteriorated. This book does an excellent job of making the math as well as the logic of AI understandable for any reader who is interested. Depending on what you're bringing to the book, it is still going to take being an active reader to get the most from it, but it is quite accessible and actually a very engaging read.

We all need to have some understanding of what is and is not, at this point, possible with AI, as well as where it could go and whether we want it to go there. There are plenty of over-the-top "news" stories that overblow either the advantages or the pitfalls, designed to make their readers either oppose or welcome the technology with blinders on. It is our responsibility to have at least a basic knowledge so we can voice our opinions, and have those opinions make sense based on what actually is. Wenger has given us just such a resource, one that arms us with a solid foundation whether we want to dive deeper or simply maintain a layperson's level of understanding. We have to be informed in order to make informed decisions.

While this is certainly an excellent introduction for those with no real understanding of what AI actually is, it is also a valuable text for those with some decent understanding but perhaps has focused so much on one aspect that the big picture has become hazy. In other words, this is for any reader with an interest in AI and our future, no matter what your current level of understanding may be.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the author via Edelweiss. show less

If you have any awareness of current science events, technological advances, social or public conversations, or media editorials, then you have read something about Artificial Intelligence, or AI. The discussion, highly public, held at a high level, and freighted with far-reaching statements by all involved, all too often—and very unfortunately—features sweeping gloom-and-doom pronouncements. These statements are like catnip to media outlets which crave them for the clicks they can get, show more but do very little to illuminate a very important emerging technology.

Cutting through this thicket is well worth it. This is where Kenneth Wenger comes in. He’s the director of research and innovation at CoreAVI and chief technology officer at Squint AI. His book, Is the Algorithm Plotting Against Us?, is a tonic. It’s a very useful and well-laid-out primer on the nuts and bolts of AI, and a convincing agenda for informing the discussion of many of the concerns being expressed.

He makes the logical assumption that his audience knows nothing about computer science, the structure of microchips, or the architecture of neural networks. And yes, he will lead you step by step to a good grounding in the science and technology of it all. Concise, highly readable, and logical, he takes his readers from ground zero to a good basic understanding of the pitfalls and the potential of this technology. That is the main reason he sat down to his word processor, and the chief virtue of the book. He is eminently successful at the task he set for himself.

Without digging too deeply into the normative social issues—you should read the book!—Wenger gives the reader a crystal-clear perspective on current problems, and thereby establishes where the current debate should be. While acknowledging the sometimes rash and far-fetched statements made by scientists and “thought leaders,” Wenger would have us focus on current problems besetting this technology, which is in its infancy. His finishing touch is polemical, in fact, since he has observed, and has grave doubts about, some of the applications to which AI has been put.

I could go on, because I enjoyed and value this book very much, but I would make a hash of it: I would never be able in a review of this length to present the flow and logic as elegantly as he does. There is a fair amount of math in it, but don’t let that put you off! Wenger always explains it, and always in terms that an 8th-Grade math student could follow.

If you want to follow the public debate, or if you want to participate in discussions with friends and family, this book is a superb place to start. It’s a straightforward, basic guide not only to the brand-new technology, but to the social issues surrounding it. Wonderful! Take it up! show less

Is the Algorithm Plotting Against Us? is a beginners guide to understanding Artificial Intelligence. Written in plain language and with gentle walk -throughs of the math with plenty of graphics, you do not have to be a professional to understand. With the benefits, biases, and potential dangers of Artificial Intelligence explained, Is the Algorithm Plotting Against Us? strives to build knowledge and responsible practice around this amazing technology in our lives.

Beginning with early show more studies in understanding the human brain, the history and purpose of artificial intelligence unfolds, focusing on neural networks as a tool to help us solve problems, classify data and forecast problems. The math section is next, which I admittedly skimmed, but was also fairly easy to understand with many charts, graphics and broken down equations if this is not your strong suit. I found the section on training AI and bias in AI particularly interesting and will remember the point that models only learn patterns from the data that it is given and if we produce and input biased data, we will get biased results. Overall, a good overview covering the history, purpose, usefulness and potentials of Artificial Intelligence.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. show less