The World's Best Book Summaries
What can we do to make sure a superintelligent AI doesn’t destroy humanity? How can we control AI? In principle, one option would be never to develop general AI in the first place. However, Superintelligence by Nick Bostrom says that someone will still develop it anyway and that the best way to prepare for it is to control it ethically. Check out how to control AI so it doesn’t relegate humans to miserable living conditions.
How can humans responsibly use AI? What type of motives should humans program in AI? According to Superintelligence by Nick Bostrom, making sure every superintelligent AI has good ultimate motives may be the most important part of AI development. Ultimately the superintelligent AI’s own motives will be the only thing that constrains its behavior. Keep reading for a number of approaches for the responsible use of AI.
Should justice be punitive or restorative? Are people really to blame for the criminal choices they make? Sam Harris contends that free will is an illusion; our thoughts, desires, intentions, and choices are determined by events outside our control. Of course, this view impacts the way we regard the choices people make, even when those choices are criminal in nature. Continue reading to understand Sam Harris’s perspective on free will in criminology and the three steps he thinks we should take to treat people more fairly.
If free will is an illusion, are we responsible for our behaviors? Can we just blame external factors for our misdeeds? Many argue that, if we throw free will out the window, moral responsibility goes with it. Sam Harris rejects free will as a reality and asks us to consider moral responsibility in that context. And, he contends that embracing the illusory nature of free will actually helps us think and act in more ethical ways. Read on to understand Harris’s intriguing view of free will and moral responsibility.
How is artificial intelligence (AI) trained? What are digital sweatshops? What can be done to prevent exploitation? With the artificial intelligence market projected to hit $1.3 trillion over the next decade, companies are scrambling to train their AI products. However, training AI comes with hidden costs. These include exploitative labor practices in developing countries and refugee camps. Continue reading to learn more about the dark side of AI.
What’s the downside of technological progress? How worried should we be about the future? The road to the future of the technological Singularity isn’t without its dangers. Every technology has the potential for misuse, and the hazards involved with biotech, nanotech, and AI are substantial. Ray Kurzweil details some of those dangers while arguing the futility of trying to halt technological progress. Continue reading to get Kurzweil’s take on the negative impact of technology on society and what he recommends as a remedy.
How will AI change the world? What will AI’s goal be in the future? A superintelligence’s “goal” is the primary factor that will determine how it will change the world. In Life 3.0, Max Tegmark explores how much power such a superintelligence would have if it greatly surpassed human capabilities. Here’s how AI could change the world.
What would the goals of AI be in the future? How does the fate of humanity rest in AI’s hands? In Life 3.0, Max Tegmark asserts that if an artificial superintelligence comes into being, the fate of the human race would depend on what that superintelligence’s goal is. It may seem unrealistic, but machines actually have goals already. Take a look at what would happen to humanity based on the goals of AI.
What would be the positive impact of artificial intelligence on the world? Can AI be friendly? The idea that an artificial superintelligence could wield nearly unlimited power is scary. In Life 3.0, Max Tegmark describes a number of positive outcomes for humanity if this happens. Check out how artificial intelligence could make a positive difference in the world.
What are the negative effects of AI? Could AI overpower humans? In Life 3.0, Max Tegmark takes a look at some of the existential dangers that artificial superintelligence poses. There are three scenarios in which the AI’s goal ruins humans’ chances to live a satisfying life. Discover the top three negative effects of AI in the future.