Someone said AI. Now what?

Almost Magic Tech Lab seal: Clarity over cynicism. Less noise, more nerve.

Opening Edition · 2 October 2026

Contents

This edition includes the Prologue, Introduction, Chapters 1 to 4, Epilogue and Appendices A to D. Chapter titles marked as coming are working titles and may change. About this edition

  1. PrologueThe Friday Paper
  2. IntroductionBefore the Technology Becomes the Answer
  3. Chapter 1The Demand Arrives
  4. Chapter 2The Work Beneath the Request
  5. Chapter 3The Demonstration
  6. Chapter 4Choosing the Route
  7. Chapter 5The Bounded ExperimentComing in the next edition
  8. Chapter 6What Could Go WrongComing in the next edition
  9. Chapter 7Going LiveComing in the next edition
  10. Chapter 8Watching It WorkComing in the next edition
  11. Chapter 9When the Assumptions BreakComing in the next edition
  12. Chapter 10The Whole CostComing in the next edition
  13. Chapter 11Earning Authority AgainComing in the next edition
  14. Chapter 12The Answer for TomComing in the next edition
  15. EpilogueThe Empty Chair
  16. Appendix AThe two layer Demand Note
  17. Appendix BDiagnosis Record
  18. Appendix CDemonstration Question Sheet
  19. Appendix DDecision Record
  20. NotesNotes and references
Start with the Prologue Download the PDF
Dedication

For those asked to act before anyone has properly named the problem.

And for the people who will live with the decision.