Josh Tyrangiel's 'AI for Good' Tracks 2023-24 Case Studies on AI's Social Impact
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 12
Josh Tyrangiel's 'AI for Good' Tracks 2023-24 Case Studies on AI's Social Impact
2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 12
Josh Tyrangiel's new book, "AI for Good," is presented as a case-study account of how artificial intelligence is already being used to solve practical social problems.
Drawn from a Washington Post column he wrote in 2023 and 2024, the book follows researchers, educators and entrepreneurs—largely outside Silicon Valley—rather than focusing on tech-industry celebrities.
The review says Tyrangiel avoids dense arguments over what counts as AI and steers clear of speculative doomsday debates, keeping the emphasis on present-day uses of tools like ChatGPT and Claude.
That approach makes the book timely as workers are increasingly expected to learn and use generative AI, framing the technology less as future promise than as a force already reshaping society.
Why do most companies using AI see no financial impact, and what are the successful few doing differently?
From classrooms to government, AI projects are stalling. What is the real barrier to turning potential into progress?
As AI automates cognitive tasks, what is the one human skill that will become the most valuable in the workforce?
AI for All? How Everyday Innovators, Bias, and Policy Shaped the Global AI Landscape in 2023-2024
Overview
In 2023-2024, Artificial Intelligence underwent a pivotal transformation, moving beyond the control of large technology companies and becoming a practical tool for everyday innovators. This shift empowered individuals across diverse professions to solve real-world problems, as AI became ubiquitous and accessible, no longer limited to tech specialists. Resourceful knowledge workers used AI to handle repetitive tasks, which boosted their productivity and allowed them to focus on more meaningful work. This era marked the rise of human-centric AI, where grassroots innovation and practical applications led to significant improvements in efficiency and quality of life.