Interview: Smart Thinking Books, Interview with Jayne Mather, Author of Humans and AI
Published: Thursday 10th of April 2025
Jayne Mather, author of Humans and AI: The Future of Work recommends a great bunch of books!
Interview: https://smartthinkingbooks.com/smart-thinking-books-interview-jayne-mather.html
Extract: Q. What's the most recent smart thinking book you've read (and how would you rate it)?
Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI by Yuval Noah Harari.
I’m currently reading Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari, as part of my research for the third book I’m writing about what society has gotten right, and wrong, when adapting to technology advances throughout history.
Given the widespread anxiety and debate around AI today, this book couldn't be more timely. One part that has really stuck with me is about the damage caused by unchecked social media algorithms, such as polarisation, misinformation, and the need for retaining user engagement at all costs rather than what’s healthier for society. His book serves as a critical warning for the world to approach AI implementation carefully, ensuring AI is guided by ethical frameworks that safeguard rather than exploit human vulnerabilities. In my new book, Humans and AI, I share these concerns, laying out a roadmap for adopting AI responsibly, building trust, and using it as a powerful tool for redesigning work to benefit everyone. I hope books like Harari’s, (and hopefully mine) can guide us toward a smarter, more humane integration of AI into our daily lives.
