Superintelligence

Paths, Dangers, Strategies

By: Nick Bostrom

Narrated by: Napoleon Ryan

Length: 14 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Superintelligence asks the questions: What happens when machines surpass humans in general intelligence? Will artificial agents save or destroy us? Nick Bostrom lays the foundation for understanding the future of humanity and intelligent life. The human brain has some capabilities that the brains of other animals lack. It is to these distinctive capabilities that our species owes its dominant position. If machine brains surpassed human brains in general intelligence, then this new superintelligence could become extremely powerful - possibly beyond our control. As the fate of the gorillas now depends more on humans than on the species itself, so would the fate of humankind depend on the actions of the machine superintelligence.

But we have one advantage: We get to make the first move. Will it be possible to construct a seed Artificial Intelligence, to engineer initial conditions so as to make an intelligence explosion survivable? How could one achieve a controlled detonation?

This profoundly ambitious and original book breaks down a vast track of difficult intellectual terrain. After an utterly engrossing journey that takes us to the frontiers of thinking about the human condition and the future of intelligent life, we find in Nick Bostrom's work nothing less than a reconceptualization of the essential task of our time.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2014 Nick Bostrom (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Great perspective shifting dive into AI

Great narrator and well written book. Nick Bostrom clearly is an expert on artificial intelligence but, presented his information and arguments in an easily digestible way.

One of the greatest minds of the modern age.

This is a comprehensive look at the future that we should all consider. The delivery can be a bit dense but that's good if you're into that kind of thing. Nick Bostrom is going to one day be considered one of the most important thinkers of this age.

The most important book of our time

The breadth and depth of this book is breathtaking. The narrator is most enjoyable to listen too.

The topic of our day and all future fays

Super enjoyable. Does not deal in-depth with either the nature of consciousness or the possibility that free will is an illusion.

Absolutely loved this book. Made me rethink a lot!

I have always been on the blindly on the side of general AI being of great benefit to humanity and that the risks could be easily mitigated. This book by Nick Bostrom soberly and painstakingly draws out the conclusion that that is not only not so but is most likely the less likely outcome if proper precautions are not taken. From the different types of super intelligences , the paths which might lead to them and the challenges to achieve and control them are so thoroughly outlined as to make even the most fervent techno optimist take pause. Will be in my library for the foreseeable future.

Napoleon is really hard to listen to.

Hypothesis stacked upon each other becomes pure fiction. However it is still interesting. Napoleons narrative is really strange and you got the feeling he doesn't understand what he is reading.

Literally Terrific Book

Most thought provoking book I've read in 2-3 years, and I'm a serial book listener. A flawless performance by the narrator.

Wonderfully

It is a great book to see AI in a different perspective, not only the good things but also what might go terribly wrong and how humanity needs to prepare and adapt

slow and steady

this was a lot of really great information but it was delivered in a redundant way not a great book as far as keeping you interested but very informative and groundbreaking in terms of the information

Boring and perhaps most important book ever

I struggled to get through this book, mainly because of monotonous reading, boring writing (similar to a textbook) and the very high degree of unspecificness in the content. That said however, the content is of an importance that might be close to infinitely more important than any other human books if it helps us get friendly AI. That last fact makes it irrational to give it less than 5 stars. Together with Eliezer Yudkowski's writing it should be an obligatory read for everyone even remotely working with or financing AI research.