Review of Somnium Pandorae

[Prince Sachin]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Somnium Pandorae" by Monty LeBlanc.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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My first book on artificial intelligence was "Somnium Pandorae" by M.J. LeBlanc. In this book the author explains how social media companies take advantage of user behavior and focuses on keeping the viewers glued to their phones by pyscological manipulation using AI-driven algorithms. The book is well-structured, with each chapter addressing a different aspect of AI's effects, ranging from cognitive decline to emotional manipulation.


What I liked the most in this book is the chapter, Chapter 2: How AI Hijacks the Brain: The Dopamine Trap—Social Media as a Digital Drug, which explains how AI, with its algorithm, makes viewers get addicted to the digital content from dawn to dusk. The reader of today can relate to the author’s assessment of the dwindling attention span and the loss of critical thinking. The section about AI exploitation in social and political contexts remains highly relevant during our current digital age. While the book examines negative AI effects, it also presents actionable solutions for these problems.


The concluding chapters of the book provide essential instructions for “digital hygiene” that include controlling screen time while checking online content and gaining command of personal digital data. The author presses readers to participate in worldwide discussions about AI responsibility as he advocates additional regulations for AI development. There is nothing to dislike in this book, and I did not come across any shortcomings while reading it.


This book is a must-read for everyone who is worried about the increasing influence of artificial intelligence in daily life. In addition to educating readers, the book gives them the ability to make thoughtful decisions in the digital world. The book is suitable for a large group of readers, from casual readers to policymakers. The book was professionally edited, and I did not find any errors.


The book is a useful contribution to the study of AI ethics because of its comprehensive, lucid writing and powerful message. Due to the above-mentioned points, I rate this book 5 out of 5.

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Somnium Pandorae
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