In 2011 a computer named Watson outscored two human competitors on the TV quiz show Jeopardy! and snagged the million-dollar prize. Watson isn't the only machine keeping up with humans. The field of artificial intelligence (AI) is booming, with drones, robots, and computers handling tasks that once only humans could perform.
Such advances raise challenging questions. Do Watson and other computers really think? Can machines acquire self-awareness? Is AI a promising or a dangerous technology? No machine, not even Watson, yet comes close to matching human intelligence, but many scientists believe it is only a matter of time before we reach this milestone. What will such a future look like?
"McPherson has written an exciting, and often disturbing account, of the history and current issues surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) that is bound to appeal to young adults interested in robotics, programming, engineering, the history of science, or science and society debates. The nonjudgmental approach of the topic manages to convey the hope for society that AI offers while not shying away from the potential dark side, particularly in the areas of lost jobs or the notion that machines are devoid of human empathy. The clear text is complemented by engaging pull quotes and sidebars, and librarians will appreciate the navigable headings that lead readers through the prose. Aspiring teen authors interested in science fiction will find plenty of popular culture and literary references, as well as possible inspiration for their next novel. McPherson references key authors and books throughout the text, and the extensive back matter provides ample opportunities for researchers and report writers. Source notes are included. However, the lack of actual footnote numbers in the main text may result in confusion. An excellent addition to collections eager to encourage STEM conversations."--School Library Journal
--Journal
"The concept of artificial intelligence, or AI, shouldn't be new to most young readers, since it's a frequent feature of sci-fi movies, TV shows, and even the game show Jeopardy!, which famously featured a computer contestant, Watson, that beat its human competitors. There's more to AI than a dystopian future of robot overlords, however, and McPherson cogently lays out the concept from its inception, with Lovelace and Babbage's analytical engine, to contemporary research on the topic, including neural mapping, the ways AI is already integrated into current technology, and depictions in popular culture. In addition to laying out the basic research at hand, McPherson also raises critical questions, such as whether we should allow computers to make ethical choices, given that those circumstances are so complicated that a simple algorithm likely wouldn't suffice. On magazinelike pages packed with inset boxes and sidebars, as well as photos of scientists and their machines, McPherson's straightforward, accessible text offers fascinating, thought-provoking, and up-to-date information on a high-interest, very relevant topic to contemporary teens. Extensive back matter includes further reading and source notes."--Booklist
--Journal
