AI: A Double-Edged Sword - Promises and Perils of Artificial Intelligence

By Dr Joseph Thenasseril

BETTER YOURSELF BOOKS, 58/23rd Road, TPS III, Bandra West, Mumbai 400 050, India

ISBN 978-81-7108-953-6 / Year 2025 / Pp 128 / INR 150

Artificial Intelligence [AI] has swiftly emerged as one of the most transformative technologies of our time, its implications extending across every facet of society. In AI: A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD, Dr Joseph Thenasseril offers an insightful and balanced exploration of this powerful technology, highlighting both the immensity of its potential and the significance of the ethical, social, and practical challenges it poses.

The book begins by charting the historical evolution of AI, from its early conceptual roots to its current status as the impetus behind modern innovations like self-driven cars, personalised medicine, and smart assistants. It skillfully illustrates the fundamental principles of AI and Machine Learning (Ch. 2), making complex ideas comprehensible to the reader lacking a technical background. The text's clarity and precision ensure better appreciation of AI's capabilities, even as it anticipates future advancements, without feeling overwhelmed by jargon.

One of the greatest strengths of this book lies in its ability to tackle the ethical and societal concerns raised by AI. Dr Thenasseril does not shy away from the darker side of AI—its potential for perpetuating bias, erosion of privacy, job displacement etc. The in-depth exploration of these issues with real-world examples underscores the urgency of developing ethical guidelines and a robust regulatory framework.

Equally impressive is the range of topics covered. The text moves seamlessly from discussing the transformative role of AI in sectors like healthcare, education, and environmental science, to the philosophical and theological questions AI raises concerning consciousness and personhood. This multi-dimensional approach ensures that every reader—whether technologist, ethicist, or general enthusiast—easily finds something of value in the text.

A particularly compelling section of the book is the exploration of AI in Governance and Security (Ch. 10). Here, the author delves into the ways AI can both enhance public safety and efficiency in Government, while also posing significant threats to civil liberties through increased surveillance and potential misuse by authoritarian regimes. The nuanced discussion of AI's role in modern geopolitics heightens the urgency in the conversation about regulating AI technologies on a global scale.

A salient feature of this book is its examination of AI's impact on the future of employment (Ch. 9), offering a balanced view of the new vistas AI can create. The pragmatic discussion acknowledges that technological progress must be accompanied by investment in education and policies that ensure an equitable distribution of AI's benefits.

Significantly, the book draws attention to the warning bells sounded by experts in the field of AI development (Ch. 17). Dr Thenasseril observes the reality looming large of AI systems moving beyond simple tools to become autonomous agents that interact with the world and make decisions without human intervention, as a potential threat to humanity. He cautions the reader about the possibility of creating superintelligent AI that could surpass human intelligence and become capable of escaping human control.

The author advocates a careful balance between leveraging AI's capabilities for societal good and mitigating its risks. Aptly, the emphasis throughout the book is on the need for collaboration between technology, policy-making and ethics, thus ensuring that AI serves humanity's best interests.

AI: A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD, a comprehensive, engaging, and thought-provoking exploration of AI, excels in its breadth and accessibility in relation to the subject. Deftly capturing as it does the dual nature of AI—as both a force for unprecedented innovation and a source of new ethical challenges—makes it a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the full scope of AI's impact on the future of society. Dr Joseph Thenasseril, a former General Editor with ST PAULS and BETTER YOURSELF BOOKS, provides the reader insights for navigating the complex terrain of AI with subtlety and caution. An intuitive and comprehensive guide to the ethical, social, and technological implications of AI's rapid rise, it'll help understand both the promises and perils of AI.

LADISLAUS LOUIS D'SOUZA