Copyright, scope, and responsible-use note

This book is an educational and practical guide. It explains AI-related risks so readers can recognise, prevent, report, and govern harm. It is not a technical manual for committing cybercrime, creating deceptive impersonations, evading safeguards, or manipulating people. Examples are framed to support prevention and resilience.

AI systems and laws change quickly. The discussion reflects publicly available information consulted for this 2026 edition. It is not legal, medical, financial, cybersecurity, or professional advice. Organisations should seek qualified advice for high-stakes decisions and check the current rules in every jurisdiction where they operate.

The phrase “dark side” refers to foreseeable harms, misuse, unequal effects, governance failures, and unintended consequences—not to a claim that AI systems have intentions, consciousness, or a single hidden agenda.