AI for Business: A Guide to AI Adoption (Jon Whittle, CSIRO Publishing)

As artificial intelligence becomes the latest business buzzword, many people equate it solely with generative tools like ChatGPT. In AI for Business: A Guide to AI Adoption, director of CSIRO’s Data61 Jon Whittle broadens that view, reminding readers that “AI is not magic. It’s just maths.” It’s a fitting encapsulation of the book’s approach: pragmatic and focused on helping organisations see AI as more than a flashy new technology but as a way to potentially increase productivity, reduce costs, add customer value or disrupt their industry. Drawing on more than 3 decades of working in AI, Whittle offers a clear and grounded roadmap for business adoption. The book is divided into 4 sections – Context, Why, How and Bigger Picture – that guide readers from understanding AI’s evolution to building an AI strategy that aligns with organisational purpose and ethics. His author’s note – acknowledging that generative AI assisted in the book’s creation – feels like a fitting reflection of the book’s ethos. One of the book’s strengths is its focus on ethical and sustainable AI use, including environmental impact and cybersecurity implications. AI for Business is for the curious leader who wants to understand not just how to use AI, but why it should be used at all. It’s equally valuable for readers who wish to better understand and use AI responsibly in their personal lives.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Jess Lomas is the reviews editor at Books+Publishing. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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