Review of Bots & Bosses: The Hilariously Chaotic Symphony of Management in the Age of AI
Posted: 23 Apr 2025, 18:51
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Bots & Bosses: The Hilariously Chaotic Symphony of Management in the Age of AI" by John Binks.]
Bots & Bosses: The Hilariously Chaotic Symphony of Management in the Age of AI by John Binks is a controversial little book. Binks encouraged managers to use AI for supervision and decision-making, but did not mention that many managers are not familiar with AI systems and would not know how to establish the necessary algorithms to achieve the desired result. It would have been helpful if he defined AI and provided some basic instruction on how to use it. It was well-edited, and he did use a significant amount of humor on computer-related topics that complemented the content of the book. He did not point out that there are many within the following professions that avoid the use of it such as educators, book reviewers, writers, and academics. Many feel it stifles creativity and merges one author’s style and thought process into many others, thus limiting academic freedom and expression. He ran the risk of anthropomorphism when he stated that an AI system was a team member which is not accurate because it is not human and is incapable of visionary thinking, creativity, compassion, and empathy.
I would like to have known more about why he is so enthusiastic about the use of AI in so many personal and professional aspects of our lives. He should have described the scientific methodology and sound engineering practices that should be employed when developing and using AI systems including the need for quality assurance and quality control measures designed to validate AI outputs. Ideally, Binks would have addressed copyright concerns, ethical use of the technology, and that use of AI often deprives individuals from gaining expertise in their respective field. Civil Engineers, such as I, and other professionals, may not be software engineers, but are expected to understand the risks of using AI, and the damage that can be caused by a software or hardware malfunction.
He was not completely clear on who his intended audience was, referred to an AI system as a member of the team, and did not describe why he was so supportive of AI, but because the humor complemented the book, he was transparent, and it was well edited, I gave the book 3 stars of out 5.
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Bots & Bosses: The Hilariously Chaotic Symphony of Management in the Age of AI
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Bots & Bosses: The Hilariously Chaotic Symphony of Management in the Age of AI by John Binks is a controversial little book. Binks encouraged managers to use AI for supervision and decision-making, but did not mention that many managers are not familiar with AI systems and would not know how to establish the necessary algorithms to achieve the desired result. It would have been helpful if he defined AI and provided some basic instruction on how to use it. It was well-edited, and he did use a significant amount of humor on computer-related topics that complemented the content of the book. He did not point out that there are many within the following professions that avoid the use of it such as educators, book reviewers, writers, and academics. Many feel it stifles creativity and merges one author’s style and thought process into many others, thus limiting academic freedom and expression. He ran the risk of anthropomorphism when he stated that an AI system was a team member which is not accurate because it is not human and is incapable of visionary thinking, creativity, compassion, and empathy.
I would like to have known more about why he is so enthusiastic about the use of AI in so many personal and professional aspects of our lives. He should have described the scientific methodology and sound engineering practices that should be employed when developing and using AI systems including the need for quality assurance and quality control measures designed to validate AI outputs. Ideally, Binks would have addressed copyright concerns, ethical use of the technology, and that use of AI often deprives individuals from gaining expertise in their respective field. Civil Engineers, such as I, and other professionals, may not be software engineers, but are expected to understand the risks of using AI, and the damage that can be caused by a software or hardware malfunction.
He was not completely clear on who his intended audience was, referred to an AI system as a member of the team, and did not describe why he was so supportive of AI, but because the humor complemented the book, he was transparent, and it was well edited, I gave the book 3 stars of out 5.
******
Bots & Bosses: The Hilariously Chaotic Symphony of Management in the Age of AI
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon