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The AI Republic: Building the Nexus Between Humans and Intelligent Automation
Artificial intelligence will radically change our lives—just not in the ways you might think.
You've been made to believe that AI will take your job. The truth is AI will deeply change the nature of work itself and lead to the creation of jobs that don't exist yet.
Sensational media reports speculate about the "rise of the machines" but fail to see that there's no real intelligence in AI. It is not an all-seeing master, but rather a functional tool that must combine with the intelligence we possess to be effective.
With The AI Republic, Terence Tse, Mark Esposito, and Danny Goh have not written a book for coders, but for everyone curious about a future shaped by AI. They demystify this life-changing technology and explain how we can build a shared space where humans and intelligent automation work together, whether you're a business executive who wants to implement it, a government leader responsible for policy creation, or a parent who wants to prepare your children to grow up with AI as a companion.
You've been made to believe that AI will take your job. The truth is AI will deeply change the nature of work itself and lead to the creation of jobs that don't exist yet.
Sensational media reports speculate about the "rise of the machines" but fail to see that there's no real intelligence in AI. It is not an all-seeing master, but rather a functional tool that must combine with the intelligence we possess to be effective.
With The AI Republic, Terence Tse, Mark Esposito, and Danny Goh have not written a book for coders, but for everyone curious about a future shaped by AI. They demystify this life-changing technology and explain how we can build a shared space where humans and intelligent automation work together, whether you're a business executive who wants to implement it, a government leader responsible for policy creation, or a parent who wants to prepare your children to grow up with AI as a companion.
- GenresArtificial Intelligence
170 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2019
43 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 1, 2024
The authors, who are American, work for Nexus FrontierTech, which is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) company based in the UK.
The ambitious aim for this book is to present a positive and exciting case for the future of humanity with AI. It does this by openly confronting AI myths and media hysteria with easily digestible explanations of AI concepts and jargon busters.
Will AI become self-aware and consciously destroy us all? If it is, it will probably not happen for a very long time yet. The authors explain the difference between Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI) systems and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). ANI is what is mainly what is being used and developed now, it is simply a sophisticated system for sifting through and sorting data for one specific job. It has no conception of what that job really is or why it is doing that. It has no genuine existential “thoughts” at all. AGI is the stuff of Sci Fi dreams and nightmares eg. HAL and Skynet. AGI is hardly off the starting blocks at the conceptual stage, never mind the development one. The authors therefore make a convincing case that there is little reason to worry from sentient machines selecting mankind as a pest to be hunted down or enslaved. So far, so reassuring.
The book then enters into a very accessible talk about the developmental history of AI. I was very interested to hear about how AI hit a conceptual brick wall in the 1980s where the Rules Based AI concept couldn’t get off the ground. In summary, applying often contradictory human rules to a machine that was meant to learn for itself did not have a smooth ride. Ironically, the fault belongs to the illogical state of humans. This led to the more successful concept of AI working from a more experience building model, learning as it goes and employing trial and error in many ways like a human child.
As the owners of an AI company the authors are refreshingly frank about AI’s capabilities and suitability. It is not suitable for every company. Large companies have an unfair advantage over smaller companies who could perhaps benefit from it proportionately greater. This is due to AI’s sheer cost and huge scope as a highly detailed project. The scope for AI systems to be simply plug in and play is potentially limited, meaning that most systems may have to be bespoke to the different businesses and industry sectors they are employed in. Could the cost and size of an AI project be too much for many businesses? It is possible therefore everything has to be done to make this technology not only more accessible to smaller companies but also to the developing world.
Perhaps one of the most important points made by the authors is that AI wont be dangerous or destructive due to AI existing alone. Very simply, if we are not careful, our own limitations, ignorance, biases, impulsiveness will be reflected in how we deploy AI systems. There is a danger that ignorance in government, especially in terms of ignorant or reactionary legislators, may either leave the public vulnerable to the excesses of AI or to other countries AI developments overtaking our own.
The suggestions for pushing for a positive future with AI, put forward by the author focused mainly on the technological, educational and (surprisingly) child developmental elements of this issue. The latter in particular (linked to educational) seemed to be focused on for an intriguingly long time, showing a surprising (though refreshing) awareness among the authors of the importance of making sure children are confident with technology but also seek a life where they can use it in balance. Too much technological interference in our lives can threaten our creative thinking, especially when we are young, the authors tell us. I did find it a bit disappointing how this argument was elaborated on more, such as specific ways to encourage creativity in one’s own children.
In conclusion I found this book a refreshing change from most AI books, that seem to be in a competition to shock us. This book does not shrink from countering some of the overblown and alarmist rhetoric about the future of AI advanced by certain well known figures (we are looking at YOU Elon Musk!). The author reminds us that technological change is inevitable and should be embraced. If we are worried about AI destroying jobs, then we need to think about the jobs that it would create, for like new technologies it would create more. The authors talk hopefully, but convincingly about the concept of a cobotic future, where machine and humans aren’t working in competition with each other, but WITH each other on the same team. AI should be deployed to enhance humanity, not to be just destructively fired off at random.
What I found most interesting was the author’s alluding towards quite radical (and perhaps subversive) political points about how future societies and political systems should adapt to allow AI to serve us for the best. The authors are openly in favour of education systems that are inclusive and focus on team building and supportive learning such as that in Finland. They are openly critical of cramming, pressured and overly competitive systems like those in Hong Kong and China, which is interesting since this seems to be a preoccupation of modern conservatives in the west. Throughout the authors display an open anxiety about how large tech companies and countries are monpolising AI tech and know how, perpetuating existing inequalities.
But I feel the last point made by the authors was perhaps the most revealing. Their proposal for a global “Magna Carta” type document focusing on global rights for humanity with regards to AI. Concern with monopolies, inequalities, freedom of opportunity and a concern for individual rights convinces me that these authors are ultimately liberals much like myself. A liberal AI republic? That is a future I can get behind.
The ambitious aim for this book is to present a positive and exciting case for the future of humanity with AI. It does this by openly confronting AI myths and media hysteria with easily digestible explanations of AI concepts and jargon busters.
Will AI become self-aware and consciously destroy us all? If it is, it will probably not happen for a very long time yet. The authors explain the difference between Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI) systems and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). ANI is what is mainly what is being used and developed now, it is simply a sophisticated system for sifting through and sorting data for one specific job. It has no conception of what that job really is or why it is doing that. It has no genuine existential “thoughts” at all. AGI is the stuff of Sci Fi dreams and nightmares eg. HAL and Skynet. AGI is hardly off the starting blocks at the conceptual stage, never mind the development one. The authors therefore make a convincing case that there is little reason to worry from sentient machines selecting mankind as a pest to be hunted down or enslaved. So far, so reassuring.
The book then enters into a very accessible talk about the developmental history of AI. I was very interested to hear about how AI hit a conceptual brick wall in the 1980s where the Rules Based AI concept couldn’t get off the ground. In summary, applying often contradictory human rules to a machine that was meant to learn for itself did not have a smooth ride. Ironically, the fault belongs to the illogical state of humans. This led to the more successful concept of AI working from a more experience building model, learning as it goes and employing trial and error in many ways like a human child.
As the owners of an AI company the authors are refreshingly frank about AI’s capabilities and suitability. It is not suitable for every company. Large companies have an unfair advantage over smaller companies who could perhaps benefit from it proportionately greater. This is due to AI’s sheer cost and huge scope as a highly detailed project. The scope for AI systems to be simply plug in and play is potentially limited, meaning that most systems may have to be bespoke to the different businesses and industry sectors they are employed in. Could the cost and size of an AI project be too much for many businesses? It is possible therefore everything has to be done to make this technology not only more accessible to smaller companies but also to the developing world.
Perhaps one of the most important points made by the authors is that AI wont be dangerous or destructive due to AI existing alone. Very simply, if we are not careful, our own limitations, ignorance, biases, impulsiveness will be reflected in how we deploy AI systems. There is a danger that ignorance in government, especially in terms of ignorant or reactionary legislators, may either leave the public vulnerable to the excesses of AI or to other countries AI developments overtaking our own.
The suggestions for pushing for a positive future with AI, put forward by the author focused mainly on the technological, educational and (surprisingly) child developmental elements of this issue. The latter in particular (linked to educational) seemed to be focused on for an intriguingly long time, showing a surprising (though refreshing) awareness among the authors of the importance of making sure children are confident with technology but also seek a life where they can use it in balance. Too much technological interference in our lives can threaten our creative thinking, especially when we are young, the authors tell us. I did find it a bit disappointing how this argument was elaborated on more, such as specific ways to encourage creativity in one’s own children.
In conclusion I found this book a refreshing change from most AI books, that seem to be in a competition to shock us. This book does not shrink from countering some of the overblown and alarmist rhetoric about the future of AI advanced by certain well known figures (we are looking at YOU Elon Musk!). The author reminds us that technological change is inevitable and should be embraced. If we are worried about AI destroying jobs, then we need to think about the jobs that it would create, for like new technologies it would create more. The authors talk hopefully, but convincingly about the concept of a cobotic future, where machine and humans aren’t working in competition with each other, but WITH each other on the same team. AI should be deployed to enhance humanity, not to be just destructively fired off at random.
What I found most interesting was the author’s alluding towards quite radical (and perhaps subversive) political points about how future societies and political systems should adapt to allow AI to serve us for the best. The authors are openly in favour of education systems that are inclusive and focus on team building and supportive learning such as that in Finland. They are openly critical of cramming, pressured and overly competitive systems like those in Hong Kong and China, which is interesting since this seems to be a preoccupation of modern conservatives in the west. Throughout the authors display an open anxiety about how large tech companies and countries are monpolising AI tech and know how, perpetuating existing inequalities.
But I feel the last point made by the authors was perhaps the most revealing. Their proposal for a global “Magna Carta” type document focusing on global rights for humanity with regards to AI. Concern with monopolies, inequalities, freedom of opportunity and a concern for individual rights convinces me that these authors are ultimately liberals much like myself. A liberal AI republic? That is a future I can get behind.
August 27, 2023
Nice introduction to AI from some field experts. Could also really tell how quickly this field is evolving. The book is from 2019 but is already partially outdated. Which makes it an even more interesting field to study I suppose!
March 29, 2020
Great book to get the understanding about what AI is and even more about how we should think of it and how it can help us to live our best in this fast changing world.
January 21, 2024
Decent introduction to the implications of AI on work and society. Does lack depth in some areas and seems to be outdated in others. It's a quick read.
November 1, 2025
Applicable to today still
March 15, 2023
Takeaways from reading the book:
What is artificial intelligence (AI)?
- Page 22: AI is an intelligent assistant.
- Pages 52 and 62: Machine learning is part of / a subset of artificial intelligence (AI). Machine learning involves computational methods that use past information / data, which has been labeled, to improve performance or make accurate predictions. In other words, machine learning uses statistical methods to enable machines to complete a task by learning through experience without being explicitly programmed to do so.
- Page 62: Deep learning is part of / a subset of machine learning. In deep learning, task are broken down and distributed onto machine learning algorithms that are organized in consecutive layers.
What is an algorithm?
Page 53: An algorithm is a set of instructions that is given to a computer to transform an input into a certain desired output.
What can machines do better than humans?
- Page 5: Machines can compose text that is almost indistinguishable from human writing.
- Page 6: Computers such as calculators can calculate numbers much faster than humans.
- Page 22: Machines can answer specific questions.
What can humans do better than machines?
- Page 6: Humans can understand the purpose of doing something.
- Page 6: Humans are better than machines at giving other humans advice on what clothes to wear.
- Page 29: Humans need to supervise machines - even if a chain is 100% machine driven and automated.
- Page 30: Humans are needed to, for example, refuel and change tires on self driving trucks.
What can AI be used for?
- Page 80: AI can be used to monitor buildings and machines - forecasting when and what to repair before breakdowns.
- Page 106: To recognize faces, AI relies on unique features such as distance between the eyes, nose shapes and skin tones.
- Page 119: A goal of the Chinese government is to be able to use its cameras to identify people within 3 seconds with 90% accuracy.
Other research from the book:
- Page 30: After the introduction of the automated teller machines (ATM), more jobs were created in the banking industry.
- Page 38: AI's relevance in Internet of Things is its ability to take data as it is collected, analyze it and decide if an action is needed, for example if an ambulance should be requested or if an alert message to a user needs to be sent out.
- Page 106: A small, representative set of data is better than a large, unrepresentative set of data. Example: If 10,000 images of faces represent 8 out of 10 skin tones, AI cannot recognize the 2 skin tones it has not been exposed to at all.
To be updated.
What is artificial intelligence (AI)?
- Page 22: AI is an intelligent assistant.
- Pages 52 and 62: Machine learning is part of / a subset of artificial intelligence (AI). Machine learning involves computational methods that use past information / data, which has been labeled, to improve performance or make accurate predictions. In other words, machine learning uses statistical methods to enable machines to complete a task by learning through experience without being explicitly programmed to do so.
- Page 62: Deep learning is part of / a subset of machine learning. In deep learning, task are broken down and distributed onto machine learning algorithms that are organized in consecutive layers.
What is an algorithm?
Page 53: An algorithm is a set of instructions that is given to a computer to transform an input into a certain desired output.
What can machines do better than humans?
- Page 5: Machines can compose text that is almost indistinguishable from human writing.
- Page 6: Computers such as calculators can calculate numbers much faster than humans.
- Page 22: Machines can answer specific questions.
What can humans do better than machines?
- Page 6: Humans can understand the purpose of doing something.
- Page 6: Humans are better than machines at giving other humans advice on what clothes to wear.
- Page 29: Humans need to supervise machines - even if a chain is 100% machine driven and automated.
- Page 30: Humans are needed to, for example, refuel and change tires on self driving trucks.
What can AI be used for?
- Page 80: AI can be used to monitor buildings and machines - forecasting when and what to repair before breakdowns.
- Page 106: To recognize faces, AI relies on unique features such as distance between the eyes, nose shapes and skin tones.
- Page 119: A goal of the Chinese government is to be able to use its cameras to identify people within 3 seconds with 90% accuracy.
Other research from the book:
- Page 30: After the introduction of the automated teller machines (ATM), more jobs were created in the banking industry.
- Page 38: AI's relevance in Internet of Things is its ability to take data as it is collected, analyze it and decide if an action is needed, for example if an ambulance should be requested or if an alert message to a user needs to be sent out.
- Page 106: A small, representative set of data is better than a large, unrepresentative set of data. Example: If 10,000 images of faces represent 8 out of 10 skin tones, AI cannot recognize the 2 skin tones it has not been exposed to at all.
To be updated.
July 1, 2019
I don't usually write reviews for the books I read, but this one is worth it. A very human approach to AI not only from the technical point of view but as well and mostly from its repercussion in education, labour, ethics, capital, and politics. It is a book for people who love technology but as well for those who want to know how the world is going to look like in the next few decades.
The book starts by setting some ground on the challenges and some basic definitions on what AI is, and the "bits of intelligence" it excels at and in which not —I would have actually loved a review of Howard Garnder's 9 types of intelligence. It debunks some myths about the dystopian world that we humans love to imagine when it comes to robots.
The second part, which is the more technical, goes through APIfication, wearables, robotics —both physical and what we call intelligent agents and RPA. It does then a good case explaining why we won't necessarily lose our jobs to AI —at least not all of them, or only partially, or why they will be replaced by others. The different kinds of AI and the link between AI and the rest of the 4th revolution technologies —IoT, edge computing, Cloud and so on. It finishes goes with a bunch of advice for implementing AI in your company.
The third part is the most sociological, talks about the role of government, the dangers of letting AI solely on private hands, which countries are doing well so far and what can others learn from them and the economics of AI the inequality being created, which is something that links very well with the latest works by Milanovic, Scheidel or Piketty. Finally, some advice to parents and tutors on how should we teach children to cope with this new environment, very much in line with the famous TED talk by Sir Ken Robinson.
This is a total book that leaves some technical ground for newbies, teaches on the economics and politics of AI and gives some warnings and advice on how we should drive our society towards the future. Highly recommended.
The book starts by setting some ground on the challenges and some basic definitions on what AI is, and the "bits of intelligence" it excels at and in which not —I would have actually loved a review of Howard Garnder's 9 types of intelligence. It debunks some myths about the dystopian world that we humans love to imagine when it comes to robots.
The second part, which is the more technical, goes through APIfication, wearables, robotics —both physical and what we call intelligent agents and RPA. It does then a good case explaining why we won't necessarily lose our jobs to AI —at least not all of them, or only partially, or why they will be replaced by others. The different kinds of AI and the link between AI and the rest of the 4th revolution technologies —IoT, edge computing, Cloud and so on. It finishes goes with a bunch of advice for implementing AI in your company.
The third part is the most sociological, talks about the role of government, the dangers of letting AI solely on private hands, which countries are doing well so far and what can others learn from them and the economics of AI the inequality being created, which is something that links very well with the latest works by Milanovic, Scheidel or Piketty. Finally, some advice to parents and tutors on how should we teach children to cope with this new environment, very much in line with the famous TED talk by Sir Ken Robinson.
This is a total book that leaves some technical ground for newbies, teaches on the economics and politics of AI and gives some warnings and advice on how we should drive our society towards the future. Highly recommended.
July 28, 2019
I was very excited to read my friend Mark Esposito's book The AI Republic. I know him to be a thought leader; and as a professor who teaches Information Technology in my discipline I was eager to see what new information I could bring to my class. Mark, Terence, and Danny's book does not disappoint. It is an artificial intelligence primer for those of us in business and non-computing academics. I believe their point (p.236) sums this book up well, as they call it an alternative title, "...Human Experience in the Age of AI".
Key takeaways: debunking the robot uprising, but rather a paradigm shift to cobotics, where tasks are shared/assigned based on who has the better skill set. The need for humans will forever exist, but jobs as we know them today will likely not. AI is the 4th revolution or the 21st century's new frontier. As we just saw with the 50th anniversary of the moon landing government support was crucial. The new "arms race" is with China for information, talent, and technology. Ethical concerns too speak to the need for government involvement and oversight. This text provides a great starting point for organizations to determine where/how AI fits into their future.
Key takeaways: debunking the robot uprising, but rather a paradigm shift to cobotics, where tasks are shared/assigned based on who has the better skill set. The need for humans will forever exist, but jobs as we know them today will likely not. AI is the 4th revolution or the 21st century's new frontier. As we just saw with the 50th anniversary of the moon landing government support was crucial. The new "arms race" is with China for information, talent, and technology. Ethical concerns too speak to the need for government involvement and oversight. This text provides a great starting point for organizations to determine where/how AI fits into their future.
May 6, 2022
Interesting book changed my initial skepticism of AI and presents useful arguments for why not to fear AI. Also speaks about how to integrate AI into your business. Also speaks on how to introduce children into the field for example showing them how to code at a young age which will no doubt be a useful skill for the future. Plus Terence is a great Lecturer at my university.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews