I'm torn between thinking that generative AI (in the shape of ChatGTP and such like) is a fundamentally bad idea that will accelerate our demise and, alternatively, that it is just a silly hype that will pass. It was therefore really instructive to read this book which offers background on the history of AI and a balanced view of the present overhyped situation. Turns out that the author, with decades of experience in this field, is also unsure as to whether AI will be our ruin. Oh well. Still worth reading though.
How to think about AI - a guide for the perplexed
Richard Susskind
OUP 2025
ISBN: 9780198941927
Alternatively, read my long essay review of the book which is out now in the November issue of C&I:
AI for the perplexed
Chemistry & Industry Volume 89, Issue 11, November 2025, Page 35
access via:
Wiley Online Library (paywalled PDF of the whole review section)
SCI (premium content, ie members only)
As always, I can send a PDF on request.
Update 2.1.2025 I only got access to the published version and found out that the word "enshittification" has been edited out without my knowledge. Must have been one of those enshittifying AI bots at work ... For the record, the relevant sentence (near the middle of the text) reads in my manuscript:
In addition to all these concerns, I am also seeing many programming and computer professionals (eg on Mastodon) worrying about the degradation of the world wide web and human interactions in general, a trend often described by the (almost) technical term “enshittification”.
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