Antonio Santangelo, Alberto Sissa, Maurizio Borghi, Critica di ChatGPT, Milano, Elèuthera, 2025 (pp. 159)

This review examines Critica di ChatGPT (2025) by Antonio Santangelo, Alberto Sissa, and Maurizio Borghi, published by Elèuthera. The volume, originating from discussions within the Nexa Center for Internet and Society at the Politecnico di Torino, aims to critically deconstruct the enthusiastic narratives surrounding ChatGPT and generative artificial intelligence. Organized into three chapters, the book addresses the functioning of Large Language Models and the contested question of machine intelligence; the social, economic, and political implications of AI adoption; and the legal challenges posed by generative AI, particularly regarding copyright and data protection. The authors resist both uncritical optimism and alarmist rhetoric – what they term criti-hype – advocating instead for a balanced, analytically rigorous engagement with the technology. The reviewer positions the volume as a valuable contribution for readers seeking to develop an informed critical perspective on the rapid integration of AI into contemporary life, free from the polarizing extremes that often characterize public discourse on the subject.