AI Snake Oil: What Artificial Intelligence Can Do, What It Can’t, and How to Tell the Difference By Arvind Narayanan & Sayash Kapoor

CUT THROUGH THE HYPE AND DEFEND YOURSELF AGAINST BOGUS AI CLAIMS.

Artificial intelligence is everywhere, wrapped in a thick fog of marketing buzzwords, exaggerated promises, and unwarranted fear. In AI Snake Oil, renowned computer scientists Arvind Narayanan and Sayash Kapoor strip away the confusion to reveal the ground-level reality of what AI can genuinely accomplish and where it fundamentally falls short. Drawing on their expertise, the authors distinguish between useful technological breakthroughs—like predictive pattern recognition and generative models—and ineffective "snake oil" products sold to unsuspecting industries.

This essential guide explores the real-world harms caused by flawed AI deployments in critical sectors such as hiring, healthcare, education, and criminal justice. Rather than focusing on distant existential risks or sci-fi scenarios, the book urges readers to pay attention to immediate issues like corporate accountability, systemic bias, and the misuse of predictive tools. By providing a clear framework to evaluate tech claims critically, AI Snake Oil empowers you to make smarter, more informed decisions about how AI impacts your work, your privacy, and your future.

Why this book is a must-have:

• Expert Authorship: Written by two leading computer scientists recognized among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in AI.

• Busts the Hype: Equips you with the tools to spot misleading tech claims and avoid ineffective products.

• Real-World Focus: Examines the tangible, present-day impacts of AI on society, institutions, and daily life.

• Critical Literacy: Essential reading for navigating a tech-driven world with a clear, grounded perspective.

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