Book review: Taking the Anxiety out of AI

Taking the Anxiety out of AI

Sameer Rawjee

Penguin Books

Review: Karen Watkins

Let’s be honest – for many of us, the idea of artificial intelligence brings a mix of curiosity, confusion and a dose of fear. Will it take over our jobs? Our lives? Our minds?

This easy-to-read and surprisingly cheerful book takes all those big questions and boils them down into something practical: how to live with AI, how to stay relevant and – best of all – how to make it work for you.

It turns out AI is already doing a lot behind the scenes, especially in industries like banking and insurance. Apparently, 80% of the value your banker gives you is powered by AI quietly analysing your accounts and market trends.

But the book isn’t just about the business world. It’s packed with tips for everyday people looking to make life a little easier – from planning a holiday to brainstorming birthday gifts. It even shows you how to get better results from AI tools like ChatGPT with clear, simple advice.

The final section gives step-by-step advice on writing prompts that produce accurate, relevant and high-quality answers.

Rawjee breaks things down into manageable sections: the story of humans and AI, how it affects the economy, what it means for jobs, and – most usefully – how to actually get started.

There’s a refreshing optimism in these pages. Instead of stoking fear, it gives readers a sense of control, showing how AI can take care of the boring bits so humans can do what we do best – think, create and connect.

I closed the book and immediately asked ChatGPT to plan my kayaking and cycling trip to Turkey. Within seconds, I had a budget, tips, accommodation ideas and even a booking inquiry message in Turkish. Move over Google, this might just be my new travel agent.