The Intelligence Explosion
When AI Beats Humans at Everything
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2.0 • 1 Rating
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- $15.99
Publisher Description
With the rapid rise of generative artificial intelligence, both existential fears and uncritical enthusiasm for AI systems have surged. In this era of unprecedented technological growth, understanding the profound impacts of AI — both positive and negative — is more crucial than ever.
In The Intelligence Explosion, James Barrat, a leading technology expert, equips readers with the tools to navigate the complex and often chaotic landscape of modern AI. This compelling book dives deep into the challenges posed by generative AI, exposing how tech companies have built systems that are both error-prone and impossible to fully interpret.
Through insightful interviews with AI pioneers, Barrat highlights the unstable trajectory of AI development, showcasing its potential for modest benefits and catastrophic consequences. Bold, eye-opening, and essential, The Intelligence Explosion is a must-read for anyone grappling with the realities of the technological revolution.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Humankind is "on a knife's edge" thanks to artificial intelligence, according to this bleak survey from filmmaker Barrat (Our Final Invention). He contends that generative AI could eventually give rise to an artificial superintelligence that is "a million times more intelligent" than humans. A superintelligence, he claims, will likely take steps to destroy the species and "take over the world." AI already has a host of problems, Barrat contends, as it's built on propaganda generation and bias. Additionally, tech companies have "chained themselves" to computer systems they can't fully control or understand. Barrat cites statistics about AI coming for jobs already, and writes in his introduction that "there's some hope in these pages but not much." Though he grants that language learning machines are transparent and can help researchers, he's up-front that he doesn't "think we're going to make it," a sentiment echoed by Nate Soares, executive director of the Machine Intelligence Research Institute, who says in a Guardian piece cited by the author, "I think there's a good chance my friends' kids will never grow up." It makes for an alarming horror story, though Barrat doesn't include much in the way of alternative perspectives. This cri de coeur frightens more than it convinces.
Customer Reviews
Hysterical and it needn’t be.
The first book I read on AI was, “Our final Invention,” by Mr. Barrat. Since then I have read every book on the subject that is accessible by individuals that are curious, but not trained computer scientists.
I agree with the author that AI is being recklessly pursued, that is is not understood by those, “growing”, it for profit, and that the end result could be tragic.
However, Mr. Barrat should just stop, because the development of AI will not. He may be correct in his apocalyptic scenarios, but if he wants people to seriously consider his positions he needs to tone down the hysterics.
If he believes what he has written, in both books, it is literally game over.
He should not waste his time writing and I should stop wasting mine by reading. In his world there is no future.