New Scientist recommends Jamie Bartlett’s insightful How to Talk to AI

I don’t use AI chatbots, so you may be wondering what use I could make of Jamie Bartlett’s book, How to talk to the AI.

Well, this clear guide convincingly demonstrates that, despite their popularity, we don’t know how to properly talk to chatbots. Few of us have had adequate training to get the most out of AI – or to protect ourselves from it. This is where everything can go very wrong, sending us down rabbit holes of misinformation or fostering emotional dependence.

Mastering the art of guiding a chatbot isn’t limited to AI, Bartlett says. It’s about self-awareness: what do you know about how it works? How might your questions (and the biases they reveal) affect the results you receive?

I’m still wary, but after reading the book, I feel much better equipped if temptation surprises me. What this makes clear is that skepticism is your friend in this AI-powered world, whether you talk to chatbots daily or avoid them at all costs.

Bethan Ackerley,
Sub-editor, London