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1. Loved this book
   Lots of great info all curated and critiqued. This book made me more aware of all of the AI that is currently in my world and what will come soon.fascinating, sometimes frightening, but always entertaining look at the tech industries, social media, and software. Great compilation to encourage further reading and thought. Very thorough . Loved the history as well.

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2. Heady and Hopeful
   A fantastic collection of essays about the evolution of humanity and technology (particularly biotech & AI/AGI). I was as thrilled by the depth of history and analysis as I was the overall perspective of technology actually improving the lives of ALL humanity, not just the wealthy and elite.

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3. Everyone should read it.
   Feminist, funny, direct. I’d love to see this as a required textbook in university classes–especially for computer science majors, history majors. Winterson is a fine novelist. these essays might lead new readers to her fiction. Historians should learn how to do history from her. Writers should learn how to write bold sentences from her. She takes us to the edge of the changes we are experiencing in becoming who we are in the age of AI.

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4. Good Read
   A thought provoking collection of essays about AI and AGI and its social.and societal implications. Ms. Winterson’s delves into such topics as equity, environmental issue and the future of mankind.

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5. Well researched and thought provoking lessons and stories
   Jeanette has again, not failed my expectations. Made me reflect on love and the inner space in a fast changing world.

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6. Essential reading for anyone interested in AI
   I learned so much reading this book, and had my views challenged and mind expanded. Jeanette Winterson has written a necessary and compelling history of why and how we are where we are with AI and what we need to insist happens next.

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7. Fascinating
   Informative and insightful on technology, artificial intelligence and where we might be headed.

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8. disappointing
   The good points of the book get diluted by the needless anti Trump agenda.Bashing the right wing doesn’t forward her story and serves no purpose other than just having fun.But she alienates and while she jeers at the conservative spin she promotes the liberal spin.Can’t we not spin.Love, right?

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9. We can’t keep on behaving like ostriches, with our heads burried in the sand. AI is here and will continue to increase its impact on our lives. And Trump and other fools alike, all around the world, won’t be able to do anything about it…

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10. I read this book in a few hours, and no doubt will come back to it. There are many things to chew on, to reflect on.One thing that came through for me is how channeled our thinking becomes. So, we are presented with “choices” that are not really binary – socialism and capitalism, male and female, belief and scepticism. The book steps back from those, and invites you to think more broadly.Artificial Intelligence is here. There is no going back, any more than we can undo the industrial revolution. It is amazing how the free market has developed so quickly the tools that Orwell imagined as instruments of oppression in 1984, and how willingly we have accepted them, and even want and embrace them.An underlying theme is gnostic/buddhist – that ignorance is the greatest concern we should have, that we should not stumble blindly into the future. The AI that Jeanette writes about is not individual machines replicating human intelligence, but the broader intelligence of a networked system, that doesn’t emulate human intelligence but evolves its own. An individual machine might beat us at chess, but that is the same as a steam engine being better than us at pulling a train. If / when connected machines become aware of each other and us, then what next?Starting with Ada Lovelace and the origins of computer programming, the individual essays turn the spotlight on politics, psychology, sex, technology and what it is to be human. It ends with an essay entitled “I Love Therefore I Am”. The future need not be bleak, if machines do not replicate the worst aspects of humanity, if they recognise the importance of kindness, understanding, compassion.Written beautifully and provocatively.

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11. Jeanette Winterson is someone I always admire, particularly when I hear her speaking. She comes across as fiercely intelligent and scary in equal proportions. I’ve read “Oranges” and “Normal” as well as a couple of her novels, enjoying them all. I read a lot of books but her two most well known books have stayed in my head for years.This book is set up as a series of essays – very different from short stories. The essays are vaguely connected but will all stand alone.The author’s intentions are huge – she wants readers who think there are not interested in AI (and related topics) to find these topics engaging and this was exactly what it did to me.I love that she refers to AI as Alternative Intelligence as the boundaries are very blurred between what is real and what is artificial.The book is 283 pages, split into 4 zones, each containing 3 essays. The collection also has an introduction and a lengthy postscript.Every story is guaranteed to make the reader stop and think, often with incredulity about how we have come so far in such a short time. Then with an overwhelming fear of the current situation, balanced against an awe of what is available to us.I learnt a huge amount whilst reading this book and found that I was sharing facts with people around me all the time.Some of the essays go way beyond the AI concepts and the background info helps all the time. JW always brings the narrative back to the core subject and you will be more informed.It would be easy to be negative about SI but JW takes a more challenging approach, looking for advantages and finding hope for the whole world.Across the chapters there is an amount of repetition (phrases, explanations and theories). I thought this works well – JW is dealing with some complex issues and multiple definitions help any reader who is hoping to soak up the information. It actually goes further than that – having read about a topic once, when you next encounter it you feel slightly more knowledgeable which gives confidence to carry on. This is a clever way to manager the reader and encourage them to continue learning. I’m sure the author’s style and my engagement with it meant I learnt far more than I expected to.Judging from the bibliography, this book has a huge amount of research behind it but I never felt that I was being lectured to. JW doesn’t tell us what is right or wrong – she has opinions and tells us but also gives plenty of opportunity for the reader to disagree.

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12. Great book. Shame about the grease stain on the back cover. The book was for a gift, so I wasn’t happy about that.

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13. In “12 Bytes: How AI Will Change the Way We Live and Love,” Jeanette Winterson presents a fascinating exploration into the world of artificial intelligence. Known for her deep curiosity and expertise in creative non-fiction, Winterson masterfully intertwines AI with diverse realms such as history, mythology, literature, and socio-political issues. The book comprises twelve essays, each a unique blend of humor, empathy, and intellectual rigor, offering insights into AI’s impact on society.Initially, “12 Bytes” challenged my expectations. When I first picked it up in 2022, the opening essay didn’t capture my interest, leading me to set the book aside. However, a revisit in 2024 changed my perspective. Winterson’s engaging storytelling and insightful narrative made for an enjoyable week-long read. Her ability to interconnect essays and introduce complex topics with an element of surprise was both refreshing and intellectually stimulating.Jeanette Winterson’s arguments in “12 Bytes” are robust, well-researched, and compelling. She demonstrates a profound understanding of AI and its societal implications, presenting her knowledge in a way that’s both accessible and engaging. Her expertise shines through each essay, making complex topics relatable and thought-provoking.The book is an easy and enjoyable read. Winterson’s unique storytelling style, characterized by a mix of educational content, dry humor, and occasional provocation, holds the reader’s interest throughout. The structure of interconnected essays enhances the overall experience, making complex AI topics approachable and engaging.While “12 Bytes” does not directly compare with other AI-focused literature, its unique blend of humor, philosophical musings, and storytelling sets it apart. Winterson’s approach offers a fresh perspective in the non-fiction AI genre.Winterson’s treatment of gender bias and inequality is notable. Instead of direct confrontation, she weaves these themes into the narrative in unexpected ways, enriching the reader’s experience and offering new insights into familiar topics.“12 Bytes” is a highly recommended read for its enlightening, entertaining, and thought-provoking content. Jeanette Winterson’s storytelling prowess makes complex subjects accessible and enjoyable, marking this book as a significant contribution to discussions about AI’s role in our lives.

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