In this episode, we share the Introduction to the audiobook version of "You Teach the Machines: AI On Your Terms,"narrated by the author, Jeff Pennington.
Most people think AI is something that happens to them. Jeff wants you to know the truth: You are the one teaching the machines. We are living through a "Printing Press" moment—a seismic, multigenerational shift in how human knowledge is captured and shared. Whether you are a parent navigating "The AI Talk" with your kids or a professional looking to stay relevant, this episode is your first step from AI-anxious to AI-empowered.
Jeff is a veteran data scientist and AI strategist with over 30 years of experience at the intersection of technology and human impact. From his early days at Ask Jeeves to his 17-year tenure leading data initiatives at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Jeff has dedicated his career to demystifying complex systems. He is a leading voice in AI literacy, known for using relatable analogies—from 80s classic movies like Trading Places to Bob Ross's "Happy Little Clouds"—to bridge the gap between technical gatekeeping and public understanding.
AI is a completely new way for humans to capture knowledge, a shift not seen since the invention of writing 5,000 years ago. This change affects every generation:
For Students: It is the first technology to challenge the traditional educational model, much like printed books once did.
For Professionals: It is an industrial revolution in knowledge work, shifting the value of cognitive labor.
For Everyone: It is a training cycle where we are all participants, feeding the algorithms with our daily digital interactions.
Jeff breaks down the common anxieties we feel into five categories to help us process this change:
Destruction: Fear of physical harm from autonomous systems.
Deception: Worry about deepfakes, scams, and misinformation.
Dumbing Down: The risk of losing critical thinking by over-relying on AI.
Disconnection: The fear that AI will reduce meaningful human interaction.
Displacement: The anxiety that AI will automate our jobs and skills.
The Mirror Effect: AI is not a magic box; it is a mirror reflecting the data we—the humans—provide.
Human Agency: You are a teacher of the machine, not just a passive user.
Democratization of Expertise: How AI can scale rare knowledge, like helping doctors in rural areas detect health risks.
This book is just the beginning. Join Jeff and his daughter, MJ, on the "You Teach the Machines" companion podcast for a multigenerational look at how we can all get a better outcome from AI-driven change.
If you found this introduction helpful, please download the full book wherever you get audiobooks:
Audiobook:
Audible: Click Here
Amazon: Click Here
Apple Books: Click Here
Google Play: Click Here
Libro.fm: Click Here
Print & eBook:
Amazon: Click Here
Barnes & Noble: Click Here
Bookshop.org (Support Local!): Click Here
Help other readers by leaving a review on Amazon or Goodreads! For more resources, visit youteachthemachines.com.
For more insights, check out this Jeff Pennington PechaKucha presentation on how we can engage with AI on our own terms. This video provides a visual and personal summary of the core philosophy behind the book and the importance of human agency in the AI era.
