Title: Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies
Author: Nick Bostrom
First published July 3, 2014
352 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780199678112 (ISBN10: 0199678111)
Rating: 3.86
Overview
In “Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies,” Nick Bostrom delves into the future of intelligent life and humanity. With the possibility of machines surpassing human intelligence, Bostrom explores the potential outcomes of this new superintelligence.
Will it save us or destroy us? As we hold the power to make the first move, Bostrom asks if it’s possible to construct a seed Artificial Intelligence and engineer initial conditions to make an intelligence explosion survivable.
In this thought-provoking book, Bostrom lays the foundation for understanding the fate of humankind and the actions needed to ensure a positive outcome.
About the Author
Meet Nick Bostrom, a Professor at Oxford University and the founding Director of the Future of Humanity Institute. He is also the head of the Strategic Artificial Intelligence Research Center and has authored nearly 200 publications, including the bestselling book Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies.
Bostrom’s impressive educational background includes bachelor degrees in artificial intelligence, philosophy, mathematics, and logic, as well as master’s degrees in philosophy, physics, and computational neuroscience. He earned his PhD in Philosophy from the London School of Economics in 2000.
Bostrom has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including the Eugene R. Gannon Award and appearances on Foreign Policy’s Top 100 Global Thinkers list and Prospect magazine’s World Thinkers list.
His writings have been translated into 24 languages, and he is widely recognized for his work on existential risk, human enhancement ethics, artificial intelligence risks, and the practical implications of consequentialism.
Most notably, Bostrom’s work on AI has had a significant impact on the global conversation surrounding the future of machine intelligence, helping to spark the emergence of a new field of technical research on scalable AI control. In his free time, Bostrom has even dabbled in stand-up comedy on London’s comedy circuit.
Editoral Review
Nick Bostrom’s Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies is a thought-provoking and timely exploration of the consequences that may arise if we create a superintelligent machine. Bostrom is a Swedish philosopher who is well-regarded in academic circles for his work on existential risk, and this book delves deep into the implications that artificial intelligence may have for humanity in the coming decades.
The book is divided into three parts. In the first, Bostrom lays out the theoretical foundations for his argument, exploring the concept of “intelligence explosion” and discussing the potential advantages and dangers of superintelligent machines.
In the second part, he examines the paths that we may take towards superintelligence, including the development of recursive self-improvement and the potential emergence of “seed AI”. Finally, in the third part, he assesses the strategies we could employ to ensure a safe transition to a world with superintelligent machines.
One of the strengths of Superintelligence is that Bostrom approaches the topic from a range of different perspectives, encompassing scientific, philosophical, and ethical considerations. He tackles complex issues such as the definition of intelligence, the alignment problem, and the risks that superintelligent AI could pose to human survival.
Bostrom has a gift for explaining technical concepts in clear and accessible language, without sacrificing the rigor and depth of his arguments. One potential weakness of the book is that it may be too technical for some readers, particularly those without a background in computer science or philosophy.
However, Bostrom’s writing is engaging and lucid, and he uses a range of real-world examples and hypothetical scenarios to illustrate his points. Overall, Superintelligence is a must-read for anyone interested in the future of AI and its potential impact on society.
It offers a rigorous and well-researched examination of a topic that is of increasing importance in today’s world. While the book raises challenging questions and offers no easy answers, it provides a valuable starting point for discussion and debate.
For readers who are interested in this field of study or are concerned about AI’s potential to pose an existential threat to humanity, we strongly recommend Bostrom’s Superintelligence. This book is a vital contribution to the conversation around this important topic, and we give it a solid rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
