

#1118
Mentioned in 35 episodes
AI Snake Oil
What Artificial Intelligence Can Do, What It Can’t, and How to Tell the Difference
Book • 2024
AI Snake Oil cuts through the confusion surrounding AI by explaining how it works, where it might be useful or harmful, and when companies are using AI hype to sell ineffective products.
The book acknowledges the potential of some AI, like ChatGPT, while uncovering rampant misleading claims and describing serious harms in areas such as education, medicine, hiring, banking, insurance, and criminal justice.
It explains the differences between types of AI, why organizations fall for AI snake oil, and warns of the dangers of unaccountable big tech companies controlling AI.
The book acknowledges the potential of some AI, like ChatGPT, while uncovering rampant misleading claims and describing serious harms in areas such as education, medicine, hiring, banking, insurance, and criminal justice.
It explains the differences between types of AI, why organizations fall for AI snake oil, and warns of the dangers of unaccountable big tech companies controlling AI.
Mentioned by




















Mentioned in 35 episodes
Mentioned by 

as the next book to be discussed on the podcast.


Cory Hixson

366 snips
227: Lean Learning by Pat Flynn
Mentioned by 

when discussing the need for specific terminology in the AI field.


Pat Pataranutaporn

280 snips
Echo Chambers of One: Companion AI and the Future of Human Connection
Mentioned by 

when introducing 

as the co-author.


Kara Swisher


Sayash Kapoor

220 snips
How To AI: A Practical Business Q&A With Three Experts
Mentioned by 

, who admits that he did not like the framing of this book.


Mike Schmitz

219 snips
236: Focus Traps
Mentioned by 

as another good book on responsible AI.


Amy Hodler

212 snips
923: Graph Algorithms, GraphRAG and Causal Graphs, with Graph Guru Amy Hodler
Mentioned by 

in the introduction, highlighting 

's and Sayash Gopur's collaborative work on AI risks.


Sam Charrington


Arvind Narayanan

168 snips
AI Agents: Substance or Snake Oil with Arvind Narayanan - #704
Recommended by ![undefined]()

as a good book to read, offering a skeptical perspective on AGI.

Seamus McGovern

120 snips
933: Future-Proofing Your Career in the AI Era, feat. Sheamus McGovern
Listed in the episode show notes as 

’s most recent book and provided as a resource link in the episode description.


Arvind Narayanan

107 snips
The AI Skeptics
Mentioned as a listener recommendation that Cory wants to read to learn more about AI.

107 snips
226: The 5 Resets by Dr. Aditi Nerurkar
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as a very influential book co-authored by 

.

Luigi Zingales


Arvind Narayanan

103 snips
What Everyone’s Getting Wrong About AI, with Arvind Narayanan




