AI 2027

In this 2015 techno-thriller, P.W. Singer and August Cole explore a future war scenario where a post-communist China, aided by Russia, attacks the United States in the Pacific, leading to the occupation of the Hawaiian Islands. The novel highlights the reactivation of the US Navy's antiquated 'Ghost Fleet' and the rise of an insurgency by US military personnel and civilians against the Chinese occupiers. The story incorporates various advanced technologies such as electromagnetic railguns, swarm UAVs, and space-based weaponry, and includes over 400 endnotes to support its technological and geopolitical themes.

The Coming Wave delves into the impending technological revolution driven by AI and synthetic biology, arguing that this wave will have a more dramatic impact on humanity than any previous technological advancement. Suleyman discusses how these technologies will create immense prosperity but also threaten the nation-state and global order. He examines historical technological waves and their societal implications, proposing the 'containment problem' as the essential challenge of our age. The book explores the potential for catastrophic harms, overbearing surveillance, and the need to forge a path between catastrophe and dystopia. Suleyman offers 10 steps to contain the rapid expansion of these technologies, though he acknowledges the complexity and potential failure of such containment efforts.

In 'Life 3. 0,' Max Tegmark discusses the evolution of life in three stages: Life 1. 0 (biological), Life 2. 0 (cultural), and the theoretical Life 3. 0 (technological), where life designs both its hardware and software. The book delves into the current state of AI research, potential future scenarios, and the societal implications of advanced technologies. Tegmark also explores concepts such as intelligence, memory, computation, learning, and consciousness, and discusses the risks and benefits associated with the development of artificial general intelligence. The book advocates for a thoughtful and collaborative approach to ensure that AI benefits humanity and emphasizes the importance of AI safety research.