I picked this book up because I have a kid at CalTech majoring in AI programming, machine learning. He seems to see only upside, no real concerns about 99% of the population being put put of work, and what I believe is inadequate apprehension about what could go wrong. Mom is a huge fan of Stephen Hawking and he was more than a bit apprehensive about the potential problems with self-learning machines. Most of the books and articles I have read on the topic are cursory or naieve. Nick Bostrom's book is fairly comprehensive and in depth. I am enjoying it as much as an excellent read in philosophy of science., as I am for his expanding the boundaries of the conversation, indeed, broaching it in many areas. I honestly do not know whether he says everything which needs to be said, but he has clearly thought it through and done a good deal of exploring, consulting, conversing ,collaborating. It is far and away the best book I have read on the topic {though there are some good pieces in MIT Technology Review as well).
This is a book which is important and timely. We must seriously consider and weigh the potential for harm as well as good before creating a monster. While there may be areas which he has missed, I feel that when I read about a brute force approach to building human level AI by recreating a brain at the quantum level using Schrodinger's equation, the man is clearly pushing the boundaries. If nothing else it is a very good start to an important conversation.
I picked this up because I was considering sending a copy to my son, but read it first because he is a busy guy and chooses his side reading carefully. There are books and articles I might mention or even recommend, and others I tell him not to waste his time on, this is one I will be sending him {though I would be very very surprised if someone at Cal Tech did not broach ...all of what is contained here). I will let him determine if it is redundant. It is well written and thorough, and also very approachable. He says in the prologue that overly technical sections may be skipped without sacrificing any meaning. I have not encountered one I needed to skip, and have, in fact, very much enjoyed the level of discourse.
Read it if you are in the field to make sure you are covering all the bases. Read it if you are a scientist, philosopher, engineer to enjoy some very good writing. Read it if you are just encountering AI and want to quickly get to speed on the issues. It is not only a book I would recommend, but have, to anyone who would listen ;)
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Fast delivery, amazing book.
I've read this book in digital form, and then went back to order it in physical form as well. I highly, *highly* recommend it to people.I personally prefer hardcover books over paperbacks, and one thing that I could probably complain about is that the hardcover doesn't have the print on itself, but rather, there's a wrapper with the print. It can easily be ripped, scuffed, crumpled (had a couple of really minor, barely noticeable crumples on arrival) or taken off, which is a bit annoying, but it is what it is I guess.If this is something that puts you off, you probably don't want to get the hardcover option. Other than that, nothing to complain about - the delivery was super fast and the book is in great shape!
