Artificial Intelligence – Redpath Book Display, September 2024

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Everywhere you look today, you will see signs of artificial intelligence (AI) all around you — from the apps on your phone to the algorithms behind the scenes. While AI might feel like a recent phenomenon, its roots trace back to the 1950s—making it older than Tim Hortons!

What’s changed is the surge of new AI tools now available to the public, transforming how we interact with technology. That is why you are hearing more and more about AI every day.

Below, you will find a few recommended reads from our Redpath Book Display for the month of September highlighting the topic of “Artificial Intelligence”. Have a good read!

A concise but informative overview of AI ethics and policy. Artificial intelligence, or AI for short, has generated a staggering amount of hype in the past several years. Authored by experts in fields ranging from computer science and law to philosophy and cognitive science, this book offers a concise overview of moral, political, legal and economic implications of AI. It covers the basics of AI’s latest permutation, machine learning, and considers issues such as transparency, bias, liability, privacy, and regulation. Both business and government have integrated algorithmic decision support systems into their daily operations, and the book explores the implications for our lives as citizens.

Groundbreaking narrative on the urgency of ethically designed AI and a guidebook to reimagining life in the era of intelligent technology A Human Algorithm: How Artificial Intelligence Is Redefining Who We Are examines the immense impact intelligent technology will have on humanity. These machines, while challenging our personal beliefs and our socio-economic world order, also have the potential to transform our health and well-being, alleviate poverty and suffering, and reveal the mysteries of intelligence and consciousness. International human rights attorney Flynn Coleman deftly argues that it is critical we instill values, ethics, and morals into our robots, algorithms, and other forms of AI. Equally important, we need to develop and implement laws, policies, and oversight mechanisms to protect us from tech’s insidious threats. To realize AI’s transcendent potential, Coleman advocates for inviting a diverse group of voices to participate in designing our intelligent machines and using our moral imagination to ensure that human rights, empathy, and equity are core principles of emerging technologies. Ultimately, A Human Algorithm is a clarion call for building a more humane future and moving conscientiously into a new frontier of our own design.

The United States has long been the leader in Artificial Intelligence. But Dr. Kai-Fu Lee–one of the world’s most respected experts on AI–reveals that China has caught up to the US at an astonishingly rapid pace. As Sino-American competition in AI heats up, Lee envisions China and the US forming a powerful duopoly in AI. He outlines the upheaval of traditional jobs, how the suddenly unemployed will find new ways of making their lives meaningful, and how the Chinese and American governments will have to cope with the changing economic landscape.

How will AI evolve and what major innovations are on the horizon? What will its impact be on the job market, economy, and society? What is the path toward human-level machine intelligence? What should we be concerned about as artificial intelligence advances? Architects of Intelligence contains a series of in-depth, one-to-one interviews where New York Times bestselling author, Martin Ford, uncovers the truth behind these questions from some of the brightest minds in the Artificial Intelligence community. Martin has wide-ranging conversations with twenty-three of the world’s foremost researchers and entrepreneurs working in AI and robotics.

Addressing major issues in the design of intelligent machines, such as consciousness and environment, and covering everything from the influential groundwork of Alan Turing to the cutting-edge robots of today, Introducing Artificial Intelligence is a uniquely accessible illustrated introduction to this fascinating area of science.

Enduring Conflict: Children’s Stories of War and Survival – a Redpath Book Display

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Children have long been the innocent victims of war, enduring unimaginable suffering and loss. Therefore, The Redpath Book Display for August is on the theme of “Children and War.” The Humanities and Social Sciences Library has put together a thoughtful collection that highlights the voices of these children through literature, history, and personal accounts. These books and films highlight children’s lives who have been afflicted by armed conflicts since WWII.

A photo of the Redpath Book Display

Here are some notable titles from the display:

  1. “Gaza Writes Back: Short Stories from Young Writers in Gaza, Palestine” by Refaat Alareer: This collection features short stories from young Palestinian writers in Gaza, who share their experiences of life under occupation and conflict. Their stories highlight resilience, fear, and hope amidst war (2008-2009), offering personal glimpses into a region often depicted only through politics and violence.
  2. “The Drone Eats with Me: Diaries from a City Under Fire” by Atef Abu Saif: Abu Saif’s powerful diary details life in Gaza during Israel’s 2014 military offensive. Saif’s narrative is raw and vivid, detailing the daily struggle to survive amidst the constant presence of drones and bombings.
  3. “Beasts of No Nation” by Uzodinma Iweala: Agu, a young boy in an unnamed West African nation, is recruited into a unit of guerrilla fighters as civil war engulfs his country. Haunted by his father’s own death at the hands of militants, which he fled just before witnessing, Agu is vulnerable to the dangerous yet paternal nature of his new commander.
  4. “The Breadwinner” by Deborah Ellis: Young Parvana lives with her family in one room of a bombed-out apartment building in Kabul, Afghanistan. Because he has a foreign education, her father is arrested by the Taliban.
  5. “War Brothers” by Sharon E. McKay: This graphic novel provides a harrowing look at child soldiers in Uganda. It follows the lives of boys abducted by the Lord’s Resistance Army and their desperate journey to escape, offering a deep and empathetic portrayal of their struggles.
  6. “To the Starry Island” by Park Kwang-su: Moon Chae-Ku and his friend Kim Chul try to bring the body of Moon’s father back to his native Kwisong Island for burial. Their ferry is intercepted by resentful islanders who will not let the boat dock, because of the father’s political activities during the Korean War.
  7. “Children’s Rights and International Development: lessons and challenges from the field” This collection of essays, edited by Myriam Denov (Professor & Canada Research Chair at McGill; Director of Global Child McGill), Richard Maclure, and Kathryn Campbell, combines accounts of the experiences and perspectives of marginalized children in ten developing countries with critical assessments of current child rights policies and strategies of intervention.

This collection at the Redpath Library is a reflection on the resilience and bravery of children facing the horrors of war. These stories provide insight into the psychological, emotional, and physical toll of conflict on children, offering readers a way to connect with history and current global issues through the eyes of its youngest victims. Visit the Redpath Library display to explore these in addition to other impactful works.

How to access audio & visual materials through the McGill libraries’ website.

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Yeah, you just read it. McGill Libraries can be more fun than you think! As a McGill student, you have access to a vast range of resources, most of which are offered through the libraries. One of these resources is audio and visual material, which could be anything from films, documentaries, animations, and theatrical releases to literary adaptations, and music labels including standard, classic, and jazz.

Finding Films Online

McGill Libraries offers a variety of streaming services and databases where you can access films and other visual materials. These platforms provide a wide range of content suitable for both academic and recreational purposes. Here’s how you can access them:

  1. Sofia Discovery Tool: Use the Sofia Discovery tool to search for films and audiovisual materials. You can filter your search results by format to find specifically what you’re looking for, such as DVDs, streaming videos, or CDs.
  2. Kanopy: Kanopy offers a vast collection of films, including documentaries, indie films, and classic cinema. You can stream these directly from the library’s website.
  3. NFB Campus: The National Film Board of Canada provides access to a wide range of Canadian films and documentaries. McGill students can stream these through the library’s subscription.
  4. Criterion-on-Demand: This service provides access to a large collection of feature films, documentaries, and more. It’s a great resource for both entertainment and study purposes.
  5. Music Online: For music lovers, the library offers access to streaming services that include a wide array of genres. Platforms like Naxos Music Library and Alexander Street Press cover classical, jazz, and world music.

Accessing Audio Materials

Whether you’re studying music, learning a new language, or just enjoying some tunes, McGill Libraries have you covered with a variety of audio resources:

  1. Naxos Music Library: This is a comprehensive collection of classical music available for streaming. It includes thousands of albums from various classical music labels.
  2. Music Online: This platform offers a wide range of audio content across different genres and periods, perfect for both casual listening and academic study.
  3. Language Learning: For those looking to improve their language skills, McGill Libraries provide access to audio language courses and materials through various databases.

How to Get Started

  1. Visit the Library Website: Start by visiting the McGill Libraries’ website and navigate to the audiovisual section.
  2. Use the Discovery Tools: Use tools like Sofia, Kanopy, and other specific databases to find the audio and visual materials you need.
  3. Log In with Your McGill Credentials: Most of these resources require you to log in with your McGill credentials. Make sure you have your login information handy.
  4. Explore and Enjoy: Once logged in, you can start exploring the vast array of materials available. Whether for study or leisure, there’s plenty to discover.

For more detailed information and to explore the full range of audio and visual resources available, visit the McGill Libraries’ Audio-Visual Guide.