Recognised national AI expert, and the US Air Force's first Chairperson for Artificial Intelligence, Michael Kanaan weaves an intriguing new spin on our history of innovation and technology to masterfully explain what each of us should know about modern computing, AI, and machine learning.

Late in 2017, the global significance of the conversation about artificial intelligence (AI) changed forever. World leaders were stunned when China released a plan to dominate all aspects of AI across the planet. One of those leaders, Vladimir Putin, raised his Russian red flag in response by publicly declaring AI the future for all mankind, and proclaiming that, "Whoever becomes the leader in the sphere will rule the world."

The race was on. Consistent with their unique national agendas, countries throughout the world began plotting their paths and hurrying their pace. Now, not long after, the race has become a sprint.

Despite everything at stake, to most of us AI remains shrouded by a cloud of mystery and misunderstanding. Hidden hopelessly between complicated, technical information and the fantastical depictions of science fiction, the modern realities of AI and its profound implications are hard to discern, but critical to watch.

In T-Minus AI: Humanity's Countdown to Artificial Intelligence and the New Race for Global Supremacy, author Michael Kanaan takes on AI from a perspective we can all finally understand. A recognized national expert, and the US Air Force's first Chairperson for Artificial Intelligence, Kanaan weaves an intriguing new spin on our history of innovation and technology to masterfully explain what each of us should know about modern computing, AI, and machine learning.

Kanaan also dives into the global implications of AI by illuminating the cultural and national vulnerabilities already exposed and the pressing issues now squarely on the table. AI has already become China's all-purpose tool to impose its authoritarian influence around the world. Russia, playing catch up, is weaponizing AI through its military systems and now infamous, aggressive efforts to disrupt democracy by whatever disinformation means possible.

America and like-minded nations are awakening to the realities of this new race - and the paths they're electing to follow echo loudly the politics and, in most cases, the moral imperatives upon which they were formed.

As we march toward a future far different than ever imagined, T-Minus AI is fascinating and crucially well-timed. It leaves the fiction behind, paints the alarming implications of AI for what they actually are, and calls for unified action for all.