Book Review: Preparing for the AI and Robotic Revolution

The world we live in today is a fast-paced one, and it seems like the changes will just keep on coming. We have to adapt to the technological advancements, updates, and latest trends if we want to stay relevant. Whether it’s a business to keep afloat or just the matter of making a living, technology can both help us and threaten us.

Most of us have seen robots depicted in cartoons, TV shows, movies, and books. These robots represent a form of artificial intelligence, or a technology that seeks to mimic human thinking and working. Today, we’ve seen many robots being developed in real life and even being used in our everyday routine.

With the concept of artificial intelligence being a reality now, it’s logical to stay updated on the subject. How do all the robots shape our lives and what impact might they have in the future? Can we take precautions to make sure our jobs aren’t lost to AI over time? Can AI mutate into a sci-fi villain like they do in the movies? If you’re just starting on this questioning journey, the book Preparing for the AI and Robotic Revolution is a great point to start.

Co-authored by Noel Jerke and Grayson Jerke, this book gives an overview of what AI entails. What does it mean for something to have artificial intelligence, what are its types, how is it relevant to us, how will it be in the future. And finally, does it threaten us in any way?

Noel Jerke has seen the changes and rapid development of the technology industry for over three decades. He’s also interested in artificial intelligence, web application development, and robotics.  In addition to working with many well-known companies, he’s also the author of several books on the subject of programming. With these qualifications, Noel Jerke is well-equipped to address the subject of artificial intelligence and how it affects several industries and fields.

Grayson Jerke might not be as experienced as his father, but his input as part of the younger generation is probably central to the idea of this book. It’s the younger folks who first adapt to the latest technology and probably feel more comfortable with artificial intelligence than their parents. With his academic interest in technology, the junior author here is probably suited to touch upon the subject of AI for beginners.

As far as the layout of this book goes, it’s quite easy for the layman to follow. The text is set out in ten chapters, each with a summary at the end. Most of these chapters also put forth their information in bullet points first and then go on to expand each point in some detail. With such a layout, we’re not presented with blocks of text or a series of tiny paragraphs that might have turned us off.

Along with the format, there are also some very helpful visuals to help us absorb the information. For instance, there’s a timeline that can show us how robotics and the world of AI has developed from 1500 B.C to 2020 A.D.

The summaries at the end of each chapter are especially helpful, as they give us an overview of past information. This also makes the book easier to skim, as we get a summing up of the author’s points and the feeling they want to convey.

Moreover, the writing style of this book makes it much easier to read than a standard textbook or research paper. This is because there are so many relevant references to all the ways in which the layman might learn about AI and form an idea about it. The pages reference cultural, recreational, and even literary examples of AI and how it’s presented to us.

There are also several interesting anecdotes to give us examples of how AI was attempted or imaged in different cultures. While there’s not much detail here, the reader does learn about how Leonardo da Vinci was interested in robotics and automation; how the Greeks referenced living statues in their mythology; and how a Turkish inventor named Al-Jazari wrote a book entitled ‘The Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices’. We might not learn the nuances of these interesting historical points, but there’s enough to spark interest. After and even while reading this book, many would probably rush to conduct their own research and broaden their knowledge even further.

Another way in which the book grabs its audience’s interest is that it references contemporary works. These references will likely make the younger generation sit up and take notice, with familiar names like ‘Iron Man’ and ‘Terminator’. Since a modern young audience seems to be the regret for this book, these points are perfect to pull them in.

Furthermore, the chapters contain quite a lot of information about almost every kind of AI we have today and how it works in almost every field, industry, or business. With this, the reader can easily see how we’re surrounded by AI already but still seem to be doing quite well.

Other well-known references include AI-based companies such as Facebook, Amazon, Pager, Microsoft, and Google. We also get to know about some promising startups and their work, such as AiBrain, Deepmind, Banjo, Casetext, etc. This gives the readers a glimpse of where the AI industry is at the moment and how fast it’s progressing. With this knowledge, readers will also have an idea of what to expect from AI and the world of technology in the near future.

Speaking of young audiences, this book also touches upon some real issues that might be worrying such demographic groups. It talks about how AI has already made many jobs obsolete and how it would probably continue to do so. At the same time, however, the work also offers some hope for the future and gives some uplifting examples.

Many people are concerned that their job might become obsolete when AI becomes even more common. While the authors don’t deny this fact, they also soothe our fears by giving the other side of the story. In addition to pointing out how AI won’t be replacing certain careers anytime soon (sports, writing, the arts, etc.), there are also reassuring examples like that of the bank teller. Even with the ATM becoming so popular, there’s still a need and preference for human bank tellers in many cases. With this knowledge, the Internet of Things and other AI innovations won’t seem so scary.

All in all, the work entitled Preparing for the AI and Robotic Revolution gives us a somewhat holistic picture with many important details. It doesn’t beat around the bush, but tells us what to expect along with some ideas of how to deal with it. The general stance of this work seems to be that having more AI in the future might not be such a bad thing. However, it does manage to stay realistic and impartial while trying to make readers aware of the AI concept.  Also head to RobotsAuthority.com for more great insight into AI and robotics!