Dear readers,
I recently heard about a new book on the subject of Artificial Intelligence written by Swedish-American cosmologist Max Tegmark, one of my favorite scientists. You might have seen him in multiple documentaries about physics or the universe over the last 10 years. He is very intelligent, has an amazing mind and is a funny and likeable guy in general. The book is called Life 3.0 and was first published in 2017.
I did not hesitate a second before ordering the book, got it in the post the other day, and I am currently reading it with great enthusiasm. It has not disappointed me so far. The style is easy to read while still examining some of the most complex and important things regarding the future of our species and our universe.
I truly recommend it to anybody interested in… anything really. Nobody will remain untouched by the upcoming revolution of artificial intelligence so you might as well inform yourself about it.
It’s not expensive, only has around 280 pages and is quite fun so even if you are not the typical science-buff you can enjoy it.
I left a link by the bottom of this post for anyone interested in ordering it. Or you can come by and I will lend you my copy.
I hope you enjoy the book as much as I am doing when you read it!
Here is some more information:
SYNOPSIS
We stand at the beginning of a new era. What was once science fiction is fast becoming reality, as AI transforms war, crime, justice, jobs and society-and, even, our very sense of what it means to be human.
More than any other technology, AI has the potential to revolutionize our collective future – and there’s nobody better situated to explore that future than Max Tegmark, an MIT professor and co-founder of the Future of Life Institute, whose work has helped mainstream research on how to keep AI beneficial.
In this deeply researched and vitally important new book, Tegmark takes us to the heart of thinking about AI and the human condition, bringing us face to face with the essential questions of our time.
How can we grow our prosperity through automation, without leaving people lacking income or purpose? How can we ensure that future AI systems do what we want without crashing, malfunctioning or getting hacked? Should we fear an arms race in lethal autonomous weapons? Will AI help life flourish as never before, or will machines eventually outsmart us at all tasks, and even, perhaps, replace us altogether?
Life 3.0 gives us the tools to join what may be the most important conversation of our time, guiding us through the most controversial issues around AI today — from superintelligence to meaning, consciousness and the ultimate physical limits on life in the cosmos. What sort of future do you want?
‘All of us – not only scientists, industrialists and generals-should ask ourselves what can we do now to improve the chances of reaping the benefits of future AI and avoiding the risks. This is the most important conversation of our time, and Tegmark’s thought-provoking book will help you join it’ – Stephen Hawking
MEDIA REVIEWS
‘This is a rich and visionary book and everyone should read it.’ – Oliver Moody, The Sunday Times
‘I was riveted by this book. The transformational consequences of AI may soon be upon us–but will they be utopian or catastrophic? The jury is out, but this enlightening, lively and accessible book by a distinguished scientist helps us to assess the odds’ – Prof. Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal
‘This is a compelling guide to the challenges and choices in our quest for a great future of life, intelligence and consciousness – on Earth and beyond.’ – Elon Musk
‘Being an eminent physicist and the leader of the Future of Life Institute has given Max Tegmark a unique vantage point from which to give the reader an inside scoop on the most important issue of our time, in a way that is approachable without being dumbed down.’ – Jaan Tallinn, co-founder of Skype
‘Tegmark successfully gives clarity to the many faces of AI, creating a highly readable book […] Enjoy the ride, and you will come out the other end with a greater appreciation of where people might take technology and themselves in the years ahead.’ – Science
‘Stands out … Tegmark explains brilliantly many concepts in fields from computing to cosmology, writes with intellectual modesty and subtlety, does the reader the important service of defining his terms clearly, and rightly pays homage to the creative minds of science-fiction writers who were, of course, addressing these kinds of questions more than half a century ago. It’s often very funny, too.’– Steven Poole, The Telegraph
‘Fascinating … for sheer science fun, it’s hard to beat’ – Stuart Russell, Nature
‘Lucid and engaging […] Tegmark’s explanation of how electronic circuitry – or a human brain – could produce something as evanescent and immaterial as thought is both elegant and enlightening.’ – Frank Rose, The Wall Street Journal
‘It should be among the most important items on our political agenda. Unfortunately, AI has so far hardly registered on our political radar … Max Tegmark’s Life 3.0 tries to rectify the situation. Written in an accessible and engaging style, and aimed at the general public, the book offers a political and philosophical map of the promises and perils of the AI revolution. Instead of pushing any one agenda or prediction, Tegmark seeks to cover as much ground as possible, reviewing a wide variety of scenarios concerning the impact of AI on the job market, warfare and political systems. Life 3.0 does a good job of clarifying basic terms and key debates, and in dispelling common myths.’ – Yuval Noah Harari, The Guardian
‘I view this conversation about the future of AI as the most important one of our time,’ he writes. Life 3.0 might convince even those who believe that AI is overhyped to join in.’ – Clive Cookson, The Financial Times
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_3.0
Buy it: https://www.alibris.com/