REVIEW: AI Made Simple by Rajeev Kapur
This week, I am reviewing AI Made Simple by Rajeev Kapur.
If you are like me, and recently diving into the world of AI, it is easy to immediately feel overwhelmed by how much information there is related to the topic. Machine learning models, natural language processing, computer vision, generative AI, ChatGPT, Claude, math, programming, computer science, robots, neurobiology, and on and on. Where do you even begin?
AI isn't new, but it is new enough that it is still the Wild West in terms of how to go about actually educating yourself on the topic. You aren't going to find degree programs at most schools, and maybe not even AI-specific courses, although they are starting to become more popular. There are a variety of online courses through various websites (Microsoft, Google, etc...), but it can be challenging to determine which are worth your time, or those that may focus where your interests lie. So, many of us, decide to approach the situation as though we are finding a new restaurant to try: by relying on reviews.
Eventually, once you find good pages or groups to follow on sites like LinkedIn or Reddit, more focused information and recommended resources will become easier to identify. In the meantime, you need to start somewhere, and you hope that the first restaurant you try in your new city turns out to be a good one.
AI Made Simple is a book written by Rajeev Kapur, who has years of experience as a leader in global, technology-focused companies. He has been President and CEO of multiple entities and is also on the board of Gen AI Advisors.
Aptly titled, I found AI Made Simple to be an easy, gentle welcome into the world of AI. While so many other resources can be quick to the complexities of AI, Rajeev's book does a wonderful job of simplifying the topic, with a focus on generative AI.
The book starts with an introduction to what generative AI is, and why it is so important now and to our future. From there, Rajeev moves into easy-to-follow examples of utilizing tools like ChatGPT and how to prompt for accurate information, while also warning that how a prompt is formulated can result in changes to the information received. The book then provides examples of some of the most popular AI tools available (at the time the book was written/released in 2023), including some for generating music and art, and for assisting with day-to-day work-related tasks. The latter third of the book is focused on limitations and issues (information received from AI tools is not always accurate or correct! GIGO), the all-important discussion surrounding ethics with AI, leadership in the age of AI, and then Rajeev wraps up the book with his predictions for the future in which he shares a bright and positive outlook, as long as we are responsible in our use of the technology.
Between chapters, Rajeev also includes actual examples of interesting prompts he entered into ChatGPT and the results received, demonstrating some use cases for the tool. Not only was this a welcome addition, but often if you are reading a book, you may not be at your computer or on your phone (or want to be on them, hence the book), and this allows you to get a feel for the ChatGPT interface and what to expect when using it.
AI Made Simple is a well-written book that offers an easy introduction to generative AI for those brand new to the topic, and does so without overwhelming the reader with tech-speak and jargon. Rajeev does a masterful job of breaking down the concepts to be understandable by anyone curious enough to dive in. This book will not help you master any aspects of working within the AI realm, but it will leave you with a basic, introductory understanding of what generative AI is, the controversies and concerns surrounding it, and some starting points in your journey.
If the world of AI was a cold body of water, AI Made Simple allows you to dip your toe in to get a feel, reducing the shock felt when you do finally jump in.
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