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Chico State has selected "The AI Con: How to Fight Big Tech’s Hype and Create the Future We Want" by Emily Bender and Alex Hanna as its 2026-27 Book in Common. This significant choice reflects growing academic interest in artificial intelligence, with the book offering a critical examination of AI's functionality, rapid expansion, and its profound social, ethical, and environmental consequences. The program aims to spark campus-wide and community-wide dialogue on this pervasive technology.
Chico State, in collaboration with Butte College, has officially announced "The AI Con: How to Fight Big Tech’s Hype and Create the Future We Want" by linguist Emily Bender and sociologist Alex Hanna as its highly anticipated Book in Common for the 2026-27 academic year. This selection underscores the university's commitment to engaging with contemporary issues that profoundly affect society and education. To mark this important occasion, a "Turning the Page" kick-off event has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, running from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. The event will take place directly in front of the Science Building on the Chico State campus, symbolizing the scientific and technological nature of the book's subject matter. Esteemed speakers slated to participate include University President Steve Perez, Butte College President Virginia Guleff, and prominent Chico State professors Mark Stemen and Zach Justus. The coordinator of the Book in Common Program, Kristen Mahlis, who is also a professor in the Department of Ethnic, Gender, and Queer Studies, highlighted the inclusive nature of the event, confirming it is free and open to the entire public, encouraging broad community participation from its very inception. This initial event is designed to generate excitement and set the stage for extensive discussions throughout the academic year.
"The AI Con" emerges as a timely and essential piece of literature, offering a deep and critical examination of artificial intelligence. Co-authored by a University of Washington linguistics professor and a former Google employee, the book delves beyond the surface-level hype surrounding AI to reveal its true operational mechanisms and the underlying realities driving its rapid proliferation. The authors meticulously explore the multifaceted social, ethical, and environmental implications stemming from the widespread adoption and use of AI technologies. Key topics addressed within the book are particularly pertinent in today's evolving landscape, including AI's transformative impact on various job markets and creative industries, raising significant questions about future employment and artistic expression. Furthermore, it tackles crucial concerns surrounding academic integrity in an era where AI tools are increasingly accessible to students, prompting educators to reconsider traditional assessment methods. Perhaps one of the most often overlooked aspects the book brings to the forefront is the substantial environmental cost associated with powering and maintaining large-scale data centers that fuel AI, urging readers to consider the ecological footprint of our digital advancements. Kristen Mahlis emphasizes the book's unique ability to empower readers, stating, "AI is now part of nearly every aspect of our lives. This book helps readers understand not just what AI does, but how it works, and encourages us to question both the hype and the real consequences." This sentiment encapsulates the book's objective to foster informed skepticism and a nuanced understanding of AI.
The Book in Common program at Chico State, a long-standing and respected initiative now entering its third decade, is fundamentally designed to cultivate open dialogue and promote a shared intellectual experience. This program thoughtfully selects a single book each year to serve as a focal point for discussion and critical engagement across both the Chico State and Butte College campuses, extending its reach into the wider regional community. Through a diverse array of campus and community programming, the initiative aims to incorporate a wide spectrum of perspectives, fostering richer conversations and deeper understanding of the chosen topic. It actively invites and encourages participation from all segments of the community, including students, faculty, and local residents. Reflecting its widespread appeal and impact, many local organizations and book clubs consistently join the annual conversation, transforming the selected text into a catalyst for collective learning and civic engagement. The program's enduring success lies in its ability to bridge academic and community spheres, ensuring that intellectual exploration is a collaborative and accessible endeavor for everyone.
Looking forward, the organizers of the Book in Common program are actively developing strategies to enhance student access to the selected text and broaden participation across all academic disciplines. A significant goal is to explore feasible options for providing incoming students with complimentary digital copies of "The AI Con," thereby removing potential barriers to engagement and ensuring that a greater number of students can partake in the shared intellectual experience from the outset of their academic journey. Additionally, plans are underway to create new and more inclusive opportunities for student involvement in the actual book selection process itself, empowering students to have a voice in shaping future programs. A highlight of the 2026-27 program will be the highly anticipated visit from both authors, Emily Bender and Alex Hanna, to Chico State on April 7, 2027. Their visit is expected to be a comprehensive series of events, including intimate student discussions where students can directly engage with the authors, a campus luncheon fostering connections, and a widely accessible public lecture. These direct interactions are invaluable for enriching the understanding of the book's themes and allowing the community to delve deeper into the complexities of artificial intelligence with the experts themselves.