Think Again
Description
Can the precision of artificial intelligence coexist with the untamed intuition of the wild?
In a world increasingly defined by algorithms and data, Heather Dawe-a leading AI expert and seasoned mountain writer-offers a profound interrogation of the digital and the natural. Moving through the rugged landscape of the Cairngorm Mountains, Dawe uses the terrain that inspired Nan Shepherd's The Living Mountain as a laboratory for the soul. Think Again is a lyrical exploration of how we maintain our humanity and our connection to the Earth while navigating the rapid ascent of machine intelligence.
Dawe masterfully interweaves the technical challenges of AI objectivity with the deeply subjective experience of wilderness. Through personal reflection and philosophical inquiry, she examines the human drive for meaning, the ethics of technology, and the restorative power of reconnection with the wild. This is not just a book about technology; it is an intimate journey of self-discovery and creativity, punctuated by Dawe's own vivid paintings of the Scottish Highlands, which serve as a visual bridge between her analytical mind and her artistic spirit.
Bridging the gap between the data center and the mountain peak, Think Again challenges us to look beyond the screen and back toward the horizon. It is an essential meditation for anyone seeking to live with presence, care, and curiosity in an age of technological acceleration.
- Intellectual Synthesis: Blends cutting-edge AI ethics with the timeless traditions of mountain memoir.
- Philosophical Depth: Explores the limits of objectivity and the essential role of human intuition.
- Visual Artistry: Includes original color paintings of the Cairngorms by the author.
- Literary Lineage: A contemporary companion for readers of Nan Shepherd, Robert Macfarlane, and Robin Wall Kimmerer.
- Nature-Tech Connection: Offers a unique perspective on how to navigate modern life without losing our wild essence.
Step into a landscape where technology meets the mountain, and rediscover the clarity that comes from looking at the world anew.
More details
Person
Heather Dawe is a writer, artist, and leading AI expert with over 25 years of experience. As Chief Data Scientist at UST, she advises global organizations on AI strategy. A prominent thought leader, she has appeared on the BBC and Sky News, written for the Financial Times, and spoke on AI ethics at the 2025 World Woman Forum in Davos. She co-authored Responsible AI in the Enterprise (2023).
Parallel to her tech career, Dawe is an accomplished mountain writer and artist. Her books include Adventures in Mind and Dreams of Lost Buttresses (shortlisted for the 2024 Banff Mountain Book Competition), and she co-edited the award-winning Waymaking. Her work has appeared in The Guardian and Alpinist, and her art was exhibited at London's Alpine Club in 2023. In Think Again, she bridges the analytical world of AI with the lyrical spirit of the wilderness. She lives near Leeds, UK, with her partner and two daughters.