'The Intelligence Illusion: Why generative models are bad for business' ebook Halloween sale
I’ve been cleaning house a bit on the website. The “everything bundle” has become less and less manageable as the “everything” bit grows, so I’ve taken it off sale. I’m planning on reintroducing it for a last hurrah as a Black Friday sale, but it does leave an opening for a more affordable option for my books, which is something I need to consider.
But, in the meantime, I figure a Halloween sale is the next best thing!
From now and until 2 November 2025, The ebook edition of The Intelligence Illusion: Why generative models are bad for business will be on sale for only €20 EUR (a €15 EUR discount).
Buy the The Intelligence Illusion: Why generative models are bad for business for €35 €20 EUR
The Intelligence Illusion #
A practical guide to the business risks of Generative AI
Generative Models: It’s All Bad Parts #
- If you want to steer your work away from generative models, you will need to understand the risks posed by generative models to most businesses.
- You have to prevent them from alienating the customers with random AI features nobody asked for, or scuttling customer service with untested chatbots.
- The web and social media is full of either doom or hype. Neither looks useful. A lot of it doesn’t even make sense.
To prevent your boss from stepping into a bear trap, you first need to be able to spot the trap.
Praise for The Intelligence Illusion: a practical guide to the business risks of Generative AI #
Amid the current AI tsunami, I knew it was time to do my share of learning this stuff by filling gaps among pieces of my fragmented knowledge about it and organize my thoughts around it. This book served that purpose very well.
Generative AI, ChatGPT and sorts, have been released prematurely with too many, too much downsides for possible benefits. It’s especially so when it comes to commercial use. This book walk you through possible risks your business might encounter if you casually incorporate it.
Many of his arguments opened my eyes. I’m glad I found his book at this timing. It’s a hype, at least for now and a foreseeable future. Use cases will likely be very limited. And to protect ourselves from bad actors, we need solid regulations, just like in the case of crypto.
The Intelligence Illusion is full of practical down-to-earth advice based on plenty of research backed up with copious citations. I’m only halfway through it and it’s already helped me separate the hype from the reality.
Should we build xGPT into our product?
Before you answer, make sure to take advantage of all the homework Baldur Bjarnason has done for you.
Back when I worked in publishing, I employed Baldur Bjarnason as a consultant on complex digital publishing projects, as I appreciated his ability to grasp technical detail and translate it into terms that a general manager could understand - and act upon. He has applied that same skill to a superb new ebook on the business risks of generative AI, which I was lucky enough to read in advance of publication. It combines deep research, logical analysis and clear business recommendations.
I bought it, and I read most of it (skimming the middle part), and it is brilliant. Thank you!
I just bought the book this morning and it’s exactly what I needed. I have not seen a clearer description of how generative AI works, what it might be good for, and what the risks are. The references alone are worth the price of the book.
When it comes to the current hype surrounding AGI and LLMs, whether you’re a true skeptic (like me) or a true believer, The Intelligence Illusion is a splash of lemon juice in the greasy pool of incredulous media coverage. Accessible for anyone who’s spent more than 15 minutes with a clueless executive or myopic developer (or, frankly, engaged with any of the technological “disruptions” of the past two decades), Bjarnason rigorously unpacks the many risks involved with the most popular use cases being promoted by unscrupulous executives. He brings plenty of receipts to support his observations, too, while also spotlighting areas where this technology might have legitimate potential for good. Highly recommended!
PS: The images throughout do an amazing job of subtly reinforcing the book’s title and premise and would be worthy of a print edition.
Buy the The Intelligence Illusion: Why generative models are bad for business for €35 €20 EUR