Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Power: 5 Battlegrounds by Rajiv Malhotra

I am a data scientist and working in this domain for the last 8 years. I have solved many data problems in past and I still do that. But the hard part of our job is, it removes manual labor which was there earlier. I mean every AI project we implement, we reduce our manual labor. Yes, that's true, it is a harsh reality. Those who are listening about the boom in automobile sales in the last 3 months but same time job cuts in that domain, were shocked by this contrasting behavior. My answer to those shocked individuals is AI, it's robot-driven manufacturing that is taking more space from human labor.

Through the book "Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Power: 5 Battlegrounds" the author Rajiv Malhotra has provided a basic understanding of AI and how it is affected our day-to-day life. His message is clear AI revolution is going on, we already gave our consent, it's just a matter of when not how. Even if you stay away from smart mobile, you use smart TV, fridges, AC, Home devices, all such things capture your unique signature. Leave all smart devices, you may not be aware that even by recording your driving sample I can make your unique signature. Somehow statistics fits everywhere in your routing as well as your life. 

Apart from personal life, the author has also given how as an economy and country we are lagging. India was and is an IT hub, but we were so busy counting BPO income that we forgot to check innovative solutions. We seldom invested in R&D. The results are in front of us, though China is still lagging in the IT industry, they dominate the Data domain and giving tough fights to the USA. Rajiv has mentioned India need a total revolution in thought process, from politician to businessmen to data engineers to the common man.

A wonderful book even for non-data science background people. Regarding content, you can read the blurb or review of other reviewers I have given my take and added my experience with this review.

I will give 4.5 out of 5 to this book.

Book link - Goodreads & Amazon

Digital Value Discovery: Tipping Point for Operations Manager - A Book Review

Being a Data Scientist and having a major in Operations I would always like to read material to improve processes and efficiencies. I have read books on Six Sigma, Digitization, Marketing, etc. "Digital Value Discovery - Tipping Point for Operations Manager" got my attention as I saw Possibilities of exploring digital side of operations management. While checking the book blurb I found that initial content similar to Six Sigma. The differentiation was the discussion of digital framework & neuroplasticity that I didn't find as part of any six sigma book till now.

Book Blurb

This book provides a solution for the following challenges of an operations manager in the service industry.

1.How to provide end-to-end visibility of the flow of transactions across applications, locations, and teams and identify the breaks in the process?

2.How to quantify time and the cost of non-value add transactions in a case life cycle?

3.How the business can be self-reliant with less dependency on IT to configure metrics and build a dashboard?

4.How to identify the possible and root cause for the longest and shortest path of the case cycle?

5.What is the tested framework to provide actionable insights for technology innovation and emotional intelligence?

6.In the instantly changing ways of working, domain, and technology landscape, how to inculcate the learnability skills to swiftly learn new domains and technology?

DVD is the tested framework with the following components – case tracker, value discovery, config metrics, and knowledge graphs to provide actionable insights for technological innovation and emotional intelligence. This framework discusses all possible technological and business solutions. Neuroplasticity is discussed to improve the learnability skills to learn new domains and technology swiftly. 

Talking about the content book is divided into two major parts. The first part (1st to 7th chapter) contains what is Digital Value Discovery, what are the components of the DVD. Each chapter from there (2nd to 7th) discuss each component in detail. The second part contains Emotional Intelligence. Where the 1st part is about how to achieve success in business (projects and/or organization), the second part is more towards strengthening mental abilities to reach the zenith of professional & personal life.

Good points about the book

1. Proper thought process - The book is well planned and written with proper flow. Topics discussed shows the practical expertise of the author in the field of operations.
2. Supportive flow charts - The author has provided supporting charts & flows where ever required. These flow have made the understanding process easy. Especially for a newbie, it would be really helpful.
3. Examples with Graphs - At the end of many topics, the author has provided examples with processing time and how to estimate/calculate them. 
4. Neuroplasticity - I personally like the concept. Something different that you won't find in normal Six Sigma books.

Only improvement point I would suggest would be Practical examples. Though the author has discussed mortgage case, such serious topics would need more than one-two example. It will help readers to relate easily. Absence of proper example will usually make a good book into an academic read. Also, the use of color pages could have been better. If they were used for more charts interest quotient would have been higher and if full B&W pages were used the overall cost of the book could have been down. Both the way the author could have used it his side.

I would give 4 out of 5 stars to Mathan for the helpful book. Recommended for Operations Manager or aspirants.

Book can be found at Amazon & Flipkart

Review from other readers can be found at GoodReads

Book Review - What The Fuq? by Rajan Bhonsle, Leading Sexologist of India

The idea of "What the Fuq" is really unique as sex education is the most ignored thing, especially in Indian society. In my opinion, there should be more books like this so when a person has some questions about certain things that they can't ask anybody else, a source like these books are really helpful. I would avoid turning to the internet which can lead to wrong information.

Book Blurb

What is it about sex, a universal biological function, that makes it so difficult to understand? As much a part of life as breathing and sleeping, it nevertheless remains a subject riddled with misconception and mystery. It binds as much as it destroys. Even today, social taboos prevent us from discussing sex openly, often leading to psycho-social and even medical conditions. 

Hence this book. Dr. Rajan Bhonsle, Senior Sex Therapist & Family Counsellor, Dr. Minnu Bhonsle, Senior Psychotherapist & Marriage Counsellor, and Dr. Aman Bhonsle, Psychosocial Analyst and Youth Coach, field a comprehensive collection of Frequently Unanswered Questions about sex. Years of research and insight into human behaviour and sexuality make this trans-generational book like none other, presented in a format that is balanced between the male and female perspectives. It offers scientific and complete answers to every possible question about the polarizing and often trivialized issue of human sexuality. 

This book is the one-stop, definitive reference for doctors, counsellors, parents, teachers, and individuals of all ages, orientations and faiths, and particularly those locked in silence. This is a book that binds us as human beings. 

This book answers the questions for parents about their child's sexuality, adolescent sexual dilemmas, queries of a teacher, questions of single man and woman, questions of man and woman in a relationship, about safe intercourse and how to achieve, and what not.

I think books like this are really important for our society. It's the lack of sex education that has lead to issues like rape, and books like this can alter that. Everything written in the book is in an easy and appropriate language. I didn't find anything vulgar in this book rather it was educational. The higher medical terminologies are not used in this book so everyone can read and understand the things written in this book.

Lastly, all I want to say if you have any questions about intercourse than you can find your answer in this book. And personally, suggest if you have questions about these things than books are more hardcore source than the internet as the internet can lead you in the wrong direction.

Ratings

1. Cover : - 3.5/5
2. Content : - 4/5
3. Concept : - 4/5
4. Overall : - 4/5

Book can be found at - Amazon Paperback & Amazon Kindle

Review from other readers can be found at GoodReads