Is My Phone Reading My Mind?

This is a fun and informative read for those interested in artificial intelligence (AI). It delves into the meaning, uses, possibilities and ethics of AI.

Best suited to the ‘tween’ age-group, the text is engaging and educational. It’s light enough to be interesting and serious enough to learn from. Whether the reader is tech-savvy or not, they'll be left with new information and lots to think about. Parents could use this as a great learning or discussion tool. Tweens could read it for fun or research. Teachers could use it as a non-fiction text in the classroom.

The layout is colourful and varied. Cute illustrations and diagrams are dotted throughout as are Fun Bubbles and Brain Boxes. Fun Bubbles offer interesting stories or facts. Brain Boxes explain the meanings of tricky words.

A large portion of the book is dedicated to ethics. Terms like ‘unintended bias’ and ‘overrepresentation’ are unpacked. There’s a nice balance between highlighting AI’s potential and considering unethical misuse of the technology.

The author, Dr. Matt Agnew, is an Australian ‘edutainer’. He holds a Doctorate in Astrophysics and a Masters in Artificial Intelligence. He’s passionate about sharing his scientific knowledge across varied media platforms and making STEM engaging and accessible for everyone.