A look at the Large Language Models (LLMs) that are revolutionizing our relationship to technology, exploring their surprising history, what they can and should do for us today, and where they will go in the future.
[A] lively journey ... Weaving colorful anecdotes from history and pop culture into threads of philosophy, linguistics and computer science, [Summerfield] unspools how the latest models work by first explaining what didn’t work along the way, and why. It’s an approach that both demystifies ChatGPT and clarifies what made it such a breakthrough ... Displays a clear-eyed curiosity about AI’s capabilities and limitations that is underrepresented in social media skirmishes ... Engaging, if at times technical ... Fair-minded as Summerfield strives to seem, the book glosses over some of the key arguments from AI critics ... Illuminating.
Packed with fascinating insights ... While These Strange New Minds is undeniably thought-provoking, it's not always an easy read. Summerfield weaves in elements of humour and pop culture, but the subject matter remains dense. Those unfamiliar with neuroscience or machine learning may find some sections challenging. However, for readers fascinated by the future of AI, this book is an eye-opening exploration of a revolution unfolding before our eyes.
Compelling and insightful ... Both a great introduction to artificial intelligence and a thought-provoking analysis of its capabilities and limitations ... Balances technical insight and philosophical reflection and summarizes AI concepts without oversimplifying them, making this book appealing to tech enthusiasts, professionals, and any readers curious about the rapidly advancing field ... A key addition to collections, this is more than just another tech book: it’s a guide to navigating the era of AI with awareness, and the writing encourages readers to think critically about how humans interact with the technology.
