Page 37 - Intra Muros September Issue 2024

BOOK REVIEWS

African Artificial Intelligence African Artificial Intelligence is a
By Dr Mark Nasila comprehensive and fascinating journey,
tracing the rise of AI and its evolution into
Artificial intelligence (AI) is upending life, work, the emerging technology underpinning all
and play as we know it and it’s only just getting others – from connected devices and smart
started. The rise of AI is a milestone on par with chatbots to the metaverse. Mark combines
the discovery of fire, the invention of the wheel, unexpected use cases and tales of
and the creation of the internet. In short, AI is cutting-edge innovation with a unique
going to change everything. For some, that’s and potent argument: harnessing AI to
an exciting prospect. For others, it’s terrifying. solve Africa’s problems requires embracing
However you feel about AI, there’s no escaping it from an African perspective. African
it, whether you’re in a global metropolis or a nations can’t afford to simply import AI
farmer in rural KwaZulu-Natal. solutions from afar.

Dr Mark Nasila has been watching AI’s ascent Instead, Mark contends, they need to
for over a decade, studying its effects on rework, remix, and refine AI so it’s able to
everything from agriculture and aviation to meet uniquely African challenges in uniquely
healthcare, education, entertainment, crime African ways, and to take advantage of the
prevention, energy management, policy Africa’s most successful financial once-in-a-generation opportunities.
creation, finance, and anything in between, institutions, First National Bank, a
and applying them to his role at one of South division of FirstRand Group. Price: R360.00

Tiger, Tiger
By James Patterson

How did Tiger Woods become the greatest of all time?
And how did he fall so spectacularly?

Before the age of twenty-five, Tiger Woods had risen to phenomenon status: twice named
Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated, champion of more than 30 professional
tournaments and the youngest player to win all four Grand Slam tournaments.

Tiger, Tiger taps into the transformative moments of Wood’s life, revealing in vivid, dramatic
scenes what he saw and felt on the course and in his inner life.

Price: R380.00

Veld, The Gardens and Landscapes of Patrick Watson with inspiration, and often bold, and he
By Garreth Van Niekerk uses mostly indigenous plants, colours,
landforms and space to create visual and
Patrick Watson is currently South Africa’s most emotional experiences.
innovative and versatile landscape architect.
Known for designing extensive mega-sites, such Covering 23 gardens and landscapes, and
as Sun City and an entire Indian Ocean Island, richly supported by exquisite photographs
he is also the creator of exquisite small home and specially commissioned artworks,
gardens and quiet spaces for restoration such Veld is a beautiful tribute to a remarkable
as at the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg. A talent and visionary whose work is deeply
highly sought-after designer, he has created over informed by nature. It recognises and
200 gardens in Africa and many others elsewhere. celebrates the combination of knowledge,
skill and instinct that make up the man,
He seldom works from carefully drawn plans, and the radical influence he has had on
instead combining artistic intuition with his profession, and the landscapes he has
extensive botanical knowledge and a deep restored.
concern for the conservation and restoration
of nature. His projects are creative, fresh Price: R650.00

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