"The experienced authors bring a wealth of knowledge to their subject. . . . Written in language that even nontechnical readers can understand, the text provides plenty of practical suggestions that can benefit creators and users alike. It’s also worth noting that Narayanan and Kapoor write a regular newsletter to update their points. Highly useful advice for those who work with or are affected by AI—i.e., nearly everyone." ― Kirkus, starred review

"As artificial intelligence proliferates, more and more hinges on our ability to articulate our own value. We seem to be on the cusp of a world in which workers of all kinds—teachers, doctors, writers, photographers, lawyers, coders, clerks, and more—will be replaced with, or to some degree sidelined by, their A.I. equivalents. What will get left out when A.I. steps in? . . . . [Narayanan and Kapoor] approach the question on a practical level. They urge skepticism, and argue that the blanket term “A.I.” can serve as a kind of smoke screen for underperforming technologies. . . . [AI Snake Oil isn’t] just describing A.I., which continues to evolve, but characterizing the human condition."---Joshua Rothman, New Yorker

"[A] solid overview of AI’s defects." ― Publishers Weekly

“With a much-needed dose of skepticism, this clear and practical guide will help you understand some of the worst dangers of the current AI hype cycle.”—Kate Crawford, author of Atlas of AI: Power, Politics, and the Planetary Costs of Artificial Intelligence

“This revelatory book exposes the ‘AI hype vortex,’ a black hole of misinformation and mythmaking propelled by desires for quick fixes and a fast buck. Narayanan and Kapoor cut through the hype with crisp and accessible writing that bravely calls out how AI fails us daily, with devastating consequences, and points to how it might one day benefit us—but only if governed in the public interest.”—Alondra Nelson, Science, Technology, and Social Values Lab, Institute for Advanced Study

“Amidst the constant swirl of hype and fear around artificial intelligence, AI Snake Oil is a breath of fresh air. This expert and entertaining guide is a must-read for anyone who wonders about AI’s potential promise and its perils.”—Melanie Mitchell, author of Artificial Intelligence: A Guide for Thinking Humans

“If you are only going to read one book on AI, make it this one. Narayanan and Kapoor make simple what everyone else is trying to make complex. Reading it makes you realize you are not crazy, the AI discourse is crazy, and they have given you a roadmap to clarity.”—Julia Angwin, author of Dragnet Nation: A Quest for Privacy, Security, and Freedom in a World of Relentless Surveillance