I could’ve parsed some keywords through Chat GPT to write this review, like a student with an imminent deadline, but I didn’t, because it’s not how I roll. Toby Walsh’s latest release is timely. Moreover, as a veteran bookseller with degrees in international politics and art history, I am not all that well-versed in artificial intelligence technology, so I thoroughly appreciated his accessible approach. (I confess, I have played with the cubist-cat art generator, but I digress.)

In Faking It, Walsh touches on the history of AI developments and what’s happening in the industry at the moment. The book continues his argument from 2062, in which he sets out that AI truly reflective of human intelligence won’t be achieved until (at least) that titular year. Right now though, there’s a good deal of panic about AI. Some of it with good reason, as the recent SAG-AFTRA strikes indicate. More problematic aspects of fakery and deception are clearly on the rise across the world. But, as one of my local supermarket staff assured me the other day, the robots aren’t going to take over just yet. (The silly checkout machine had confused my avocado for a lime).

While the glorified-upright-vacuum-cleaner-robot-waiter at a city eatery cannot tell the difference between a lime and an avocado just now (and must rely on human intelligence), someday it will. Though, after reading this book, I understand it will be years before it is intelligent enough to appreciate which gins need citrus or cucumber as a garnish. Thanks to Professor Walsh’s book, I have a better understanding of the wide gamut of issues and impacts of AI uptake. Professor Walsh’s easy, conversational tone makes this a thoroughly interesting and engaging read. I certainly know a lot more on the subject than I did 48 hours ago!