The Coming Wave: AI, Power, and Our Future

This book is an amazing read with a narrative that moves in a logical and thoughtful progression. The author’s expertise in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) is on vivid display. He has clearly given a great deal of thought to both the benefits and hazards AI. For a topic that can be both complex and cluttered with technical jargon, the author writes in a style that is easily understood by non-technical readers. Although I bought this book for a better understanding of just AI, the author outlined the much larger technical wave that is quickly approaching. This includes advances in biotechnology. In order to make specific points, the author uses historical examples of previous technological waves, such as the inventions of the mechanical loom and the steam engine. The loom story is especially interesting in that it describes acts of terrorism by the Luddites who tried to stop this wave and preserve their jobs. The author is able to describe the ways in which these new technologies can have global implications. Unlike nuclear weapons, which are expensive and hard to build, new technologies are inexpensive and available to everyone. Although the author highlights the many hazards of AI, he also offers some reasonable solutions to both mitigate the risk and preserve its benefits. These solutions focus on areas such as building in safety, conducting audits, and being transparent. The author describes how “safety” is baked into the culture of aviation. Safety is paramount as no one wants to see their aircraft involved in tragic or fatal accidents. A culture of “safety” now needs to be nurtured and embraced by the AI community. Whether the reader is someone involved in AI or just curious, this book will certainly open their eyes and cause them to think about the future.

We’re all a part of the AI wave, but since our personal view is limited to the AI technology we can access directly, such as Microsoft’s Co-Pilot, we don’t see how transformative this wave will be. Reading this book will broaden your understanding of how AI may benefit humanity and how it may, if not contained, erode humanity. Thoroughly researched, (there are 29 pages of notes), it is an avalanche of information. I found myself understanding the information presented, but not able to retain the many key points. This is a book where you’ll want to take notes as you read it. It would be helpful if there was a bullet-point list of the key points at the end of each chapter. The book would also benefit from some serious editing. Some sections read like a stream of consciousness. Points are repeated several times, with unnecessary detail and words. Ironically, an AI editor could have been used to reduce the book length by 20% and without reducing its value. At least that is my purely human estimate. All in all however, this is a book you should read, just so you’re more aware of the wave we’re in.

In "The Coming Wave: Technology, Power, and the Twenty-first Century’s Greatest Dilemma," Mustafa Suleyman delivers a compelling narrative that resonates deeply with those inclined towards future thinking. The book is not just a read; it's an intellectual journey through the impending transformations in our world. Suleyman masterfully outlines a near future where AI isn’t just a tool but a ubiquitous companion, redefining our lives, businesses, and governance. The advent of DNA printers, quantum computers, and autonomous weapons paints a picture of a world teetering on the brink of profound change. This isn't science fiction; it's a meticulously researched forecast of our near future. The author doesn’t shy away from the monumental challenges ahead. He warns of the existential dilemma posed by these advancements: on one side, unprecedented prosperity and on the other, the risk of catastrophic harms and invasive surveillance. The core of Suleyman's argument revolves around the 'containment problem' - the Herculean task of controlling such powerful technologies. What makes Suleyman's work stand out is his ability to draw parallels with historical inventions and their unintended consequences. He invokes the stories of Edison, Nobel, and Gutenberg to illustrate that the impact of technology often diverges wildly from its intended purpose. This historical perspective enriches the book, grounding futuristic concepts in familiar narratives. The book's greatest strength lies in its balanced examination of emerging technologies. Suleyman doesn’t just celebrate the promise of AI and synthetic biology; he soberly evaluates their potential perils. This balanced approach makes "The Coming Wave" a must-read for decision-makers and leaders. Suleyman’s call for immediate attention to the containment of these technologies is both timely and urgent. He argues for a multi-faceted strategy encompassing regulation, technical safety, new governance models, and transparency. This is not just about managing technology; it's about preserving our societal values and structures in the face of transformative change. The author's expertise shines through in his ability to distill complex concepts into accessible insights. His treatment of AI and synthetic biology is particularly noteworthy, making these daunting fields approachable for the lay reader. Overall, "The Coming Wave" is more than just a book; it's a roadmap for navigating the technological transformations of the 21st century. It's a work that demands not just reading but referencing, especially for those deeply immersed in AI and related fields. Suleyman's book is a clarion call to those poised to shape our future: understand these technologies, contain their risks, and harness their potential for the greater good. A highly recommended read for anyone seeking to grasp the full spectrum of AI's implications in our lives.

The beginning is genuinely engaging, with sharp insights and fascinating comparisons that make you stop and think. Unfortunately, the book quickly gets lost in endless repetitions. The same points are made over and over again. Tiring and boring. Too often it slips into a self-congratulatory tone, and at times feels hypocritical: Suleyman criticizes the system, but he is also very much part of it. I lack concrete suggestions at the end. A book with a brilliant opening that could have been much stronger if it had been more concise and less self-indulgent.

I don’t know what is going on with ordering books lately. They are coming dirty and scratched… this came with bird waste on it and it was not clean at all I had to through away the cover…

For someone not involved in the world of AI, the book was very enlightening.

The Coming Wave: AI, Power and Our Future** by Mustafa Suleyman offers a clear, insightful look at how emerging technologies are reshaping society. Suleyman combines deep technical understanding with ethical reflection, showing both the opportunities and risks of the AI revolution. It’s a well-balanced and thought-provoking read that challenges us to prepare responsibly for a rapidly changing future.

Mustafa Suleyman and Michael Bhaskar have written an excellent book, "The Coming Wave." Unlike many authors who project unbridled optimism, the authors strike two notes simultaneously: one of inevitability and the other of caution and concern. They divided the book into four sections, which they call 'Homo Technoligicus,' 'The Next Wave,' 'States of Failure,' and 'Through the Wave.' They devote the first section to explaining how waves of technological innovation have transformed humanity for thousands of years. Even the slightest pause will convince anyone of this truism. Since we fashioned stone tools centuries ago, humans have innovated, changing the world and society. The next wave will create changes at an exponential rate, a topic they discuss. When I was a child, we did not possess direct dialing telephones, and now the mobile phone often appears to extend our brains. They discuss artificial intelligence and its impact–now and in the future. A person growing up now will live a different life than we do today. When will machine intelligence overtake human intelligence? Most people cannot perform the most straightforward calculations and resort to a calculator. No one knows of Trachtenberg's system of speed mathematics anymore! The book's third section focuses on the dangers of this advancing wave of technology: misinformation, disinformation, cyberwar, and the changing nature of war, amongst others. Yet, as the authors emphasize, technological advances are improving our lives–at least, the lives of those with access to the benefits. Technology does not benefit a starving person. Unlike most authors who present us with an overtly sunny view of these advancements, Mustafa Suleyman and Michael Bhaskar acknowledge that the sunlight warms us but can also burn us. The book's fourth section focuses on the necessity for responsible containment. It proposes ten steps (or means) by which governments, society, and corporations can work together to contain the dangers this new 'machine technology' poses to society while retaining the benefits. They end with a provocative question: how will the nature and meaning of humanity change in the coming decades? The book is excellent, well-written, and accessible to everyone, including the lay reader. It is a book that many people must read to educate themselves on current and future developments in AI and synthetic biology. People must read the book now. In five years, it will be outdated.