The AI Con: How to Fight Big Tech’s Hype and Create the Future We Want (Harper, 2025), by linguist Emily Bender and sociologist Alex Hanna, has been chosen as the Book in Common for 2026-27.
A “Turning the Page” kick-off event is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, from 4:30-5:15 p.m. in front of the Science Building at Chico State. University President Steve Perez, Butte College President Virginia Guleff, and Chico State professors Mark Stemen and Zach Justus will be among the speakers, said Kristen Mahlis, coordinator of the Book in Common Program and a professor in the Department of Ethnic, Gender, and Queer Studies. The event is free and open to the public.
The AI Con is a thought-provoking work examining the rise of artificial intelligence and its far-reaching impacts on society, education and the economy. The selection comes amid heightened interest and debate surrounding AI technologies, including within higher education.
Co-authored by a University of Washington linguistics professor and a former Google employee, the book takes a critical look at artificial intelligence, exploring how it functions, the realities behind its rapid expansion, and the social, ethical and environmental implications of its use. Topics include the influence of AI on jobs and creative industries, concerns about academic integrity, and the environmental costs associated with large-scale data centers.
“AI is now part of nearly every aspect of our lives,” Mahlis said. “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.”
As part of the program, both authors will visit Chico State on April 7, 2027, for a series of events including student discussions, a campus luncheon, and a public lecture.
The Book in Common program fosters open dialogue by incorporating a range of perspectives through campus and community programming. Butte College and Chico State sponsor the annual Book in Common challenge. Now in its third decade, Book in Common encourages a shared intellectual experience across both campuses and the region. The program invites participation from students, faculty, and community members, with many local organizations and book clubs joining the conversation each year.
Looking ahead, organizers are working to expand student access to the selected text and increase participation across disciplines. Plans include exploring options to provide incoming students with free digital copies of the book and developing new opportunities for student involvement in the selection process.
For more information, visit Book in Common.
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