You Teach the Machines: AI On Your Terms - Hardcover

by Jeff Pennington (Author)

AI on your terms. Not theirs.

Most people think AI is something that happens to them. Jeff Pennington-a data science veteran who started at Ask Jeeves and spent 17 years leading AI strategy at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia-wants you to know the truth: You are the one teaching the machines.

In You Teach the Machines, Pennington strips away the jargon and technical gatekeeping. Using a mix of pop culture (80's classic Trading Places), art (Bob Ross' "happy little clouds") parenting (his daughter's first swear word), and history, this book provides a non-technical roadmap for the AI revolution. Accessible and entertaining for non-technical people.

What you'll discover:

• Your Fears: Why AI companies should be feared, but that AI itself isn't always scary.
• The Training Cycle: How your everyday interactions-from driving to health apps-feed the algorithms.
• Healthcare & Beyond: How AI can scale medical expertise for rural areas and the hidden risks of data privacy.
• Actionable Literacy: Hands-on exercises to identify what AI is actually good at-and where it fails.
• Historical Perspective: Why the AI shift is the "New Printing Press," not just a new software update.

Whether you're a parent navigating "The AI Talk" with your kids or a professional looking to stay relevant in an automated world, this book gives you the knowledge to maximize benefit and minimize harm.