Princeton University Press signs Harding’s ‘truly fresh take’ on artificial intelligence 

Princeton University Press has signed Verity Harding’s AI for the Public Good, which argues society “must act with clear purpose and intentionality to ensure that artificial intelligence (AI) serves the public good now and in the future”.

Science publisher Ingrid Gnerlich acquired world rights, including audio, from the author for publication in 2024.

The publisher says AI for the Public Good draws on pertinent historical examples from the 1950s to today, including the space race, IVF and the early internet, to show how transformative technologies of the recent past were deliberately controlled and shaped by values and ideals.

It continues: “Harding makes the case that, to be successful, AI cannot be value-neutral, but must be peaceful in its intent, serve purpose not profit, embrace its limitations and be rooted in societal trust.

“With a background in politics, academia and tech, Harding has a deeply qualified vantage point from which to reflect on these forces at play. The founder of Formation Advisory Ltd and a visiting fellow at the Bennett Institute for Public Policy at the University of Cambridge, Harding has held roles at Google and DeepMind, where she co-founded ethics and societal impact teams.”

Harding presently serves as chair of the board for Girls Who Code UK and is a director of the Friends of the Royal Academy of Arts.

Gnerlich said: “While books on AI abound, Verity Harding is uniquely positioned to offer a truly fresh take. Outside an insular and quite male-dominated community, how many of us really understand AI and what goes into its development and operation?

“Verity seeks to give us an insider’s perspective and make a strong case for establishing a moral and ethical roadmap for AI’s future. Using historical examples and drawing on her own personal experiences working across politics and the tech industry, I believe that her voice, streetwise idealism and insights will resonate with many.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be working with her on such an important book and can’t wait to bring her début to readers around the world – and to see AI put to work for good.”