FTA: A Look Back at 2023

In this book, Nick Bostrom delves into the implications of creating superintelligence, which could surpass human intelligence in all domains. He discusses the potential dangers, such as the loss of human control over such powerful entities, and presents various strategies to ensure that superintelligences align with human values. The book examines the 'AI control problem' and the need to endow future machine intelligence with positive values to prevent existential risks.

In this book, Samuel P. Huntington advances the theory of objective civilian control, arguing that the optimal means of asserting control over the armed forces is to professionalize them. The book is divided into three parts, covering the general theory of the military profession, the historical development of American civil-military relations, and the specific challenges faced during World War II and the Korean War. Huntington analyzes the tension between a conservative military and a liberal democracy, emphasizing the importance of a professional military ethos and its implications for public administration and government.

In 'The Age of M', Robin Hanson delves into a future scenario where brain emulations, or 'ems', become the dominant form of intelligent life. The book predicts how this shift would fundamentally change various aspects of society, including work, relationships, and overall human experience. Hanson uses economic and social analysis to describe how ems would interact, work, and live in a world where they outnumber and outperform humans. The book is a thought-provoking exploration of the potential consequences of advanced artificial intelligence and whole brain emulation on human civilization.