The Hitchhiker's Guide to AI

‘Arthur Goldstuck is a veteran of understanding how new technologies interact with all parts of society. This book provides an informative and accessible look at what AI might have in store for us.’ – DR BENJAMIN ROSMAN, Professor of AI and Robotics, University of the Witwatersrand

‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to AI is a thoughtful book that takes a close look at one of the most significant developments of the year, with specific reference to Africa and developing economies. It is food for thought, written with a light touch while raising many of the most salient questions.’ – SANDRA LAURENCE, TechCentral

‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to AI is one of the most interesting and easy-to-follow books of its kind.’ – CHRIS GIBBONS, Acumen

'Explore the ever-evolving world of AI with ease, discovering its practical applications and the magic it’s creating.’ – REHANA RUTTI, Womans World

Did you know that AI helped South Africa to win the 2023 Rugby World Cup? That Africa led the way in small language models? That AI has been supporting farmers in Kenya for the last decade?

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to AI: The African Edge reframes the conversation about AI through the lens of human roles, and merges global advances with distinctly African realities.

From farmers using AI to track bee movements, to school pupils guided by WhatsApp tutors, to musicians experimenting with machine-made beats, this book explores how everyday people across the African continent are shaping – and being shaped by – the rise of machine intelligence.

Rather than obsessing over distant futures or Silicon Valley breakthroughs, this book brings AI down to earth. Through the eyes of local and international teachers, coders, executives and artists, it tells the story of Africa’s AI moment – not as a catch-up game, but as reframing the global narrative.

Insightful, grounded and provocative, it’s a guide to navigating the most transformative technology of our age – with feet firmly planted on African soil, and eyes wide open to the global context.