Do you remember the Terminator movie, where robots plotted to take over the world? If you’re still worried about such a ‘robotic’ takeover but don’t know much about it, Clive Gifford’s A Question of Technology: Will Robots Take Over the World? explains it.

The book gives you a clear picture of the rapid advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) and the role of robots in making the Earth a better place. This 33-page book is a fun and interesting adventure exploring the cool things, challenges and tricky choices that come as the world becomes increasingly automated!

A famous name in Children’s literature, Gifford has written over 100 books for kids, including Eye Benders, winner of the Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize, Royal Society-nominated Out of This World, and Cool Technology, which won the School Library Association Information Book Award. His book The Colours of History won the Blue Peter Book Awards’ Best Book with Facts.

The book we are talking about is divided into 13 chapters and tackles everything you want to know about robots. From “When was the first time the word ‘robot’ was used?” to “Who made the first humanoid robot?” and the titular “Will robots take over the world?”, the British writer addresses each query with clarity and enthusiasm. The Q&A format makes the information easy to understand and also helps readers think more deeply about what each answer means.

The author uses a mix of information, fun scenarios and eye-catching illustrations to help you think about the future of humans and robots in a simple and balanced way. He explains AI algorithms, neural networks and machine learning simply and interestingly for younger readers. The chapter on how robots learn by mimicking human behaviour is informative and entertaining, illustrating how AI can interpret and respond to different scenarios.

Uncover the mysteries of robotics with this book, a well-rounded introduction to AI and robotics. For young readers curious about the future of technology and its impact on society, this book serves as a valuable resource that sparks curiosity and encourages critical thinking.

While it may leave some questions unanswered, it achieves its goal of making readers think deeply about the world of tomorrow. Don’t worry; robots won’t take our jobs when we grow up.

Published in Dawn, Young World, March 15th, 2025