Supremacy

AI, ChatGPT, and the Race That Will Change the World

De: Parmy Olson

Narrado por: Lisa Flanagan

In November 2022, a webpage was posted online with a simple text box. It was ChatGPT, and was unlike any app people had used before. It was more human than a customer service agent, more convenient than a Google search. Behind the scenes, battles for control and prestige between the world’s two leading AI firms, OpenAI and DeepMind, who now steers Google's AI efforts, has remained elusive—until now.

In Supremacy, Olson, tech writer at Bloomberg, tells the astonishing story of the battle between these two AI firms, their struggles to use their tech for good, and the hazardous direction they could go as they serve two tech monopolies whose power is unprecedented in history. The story focuses on the continuing rivalry of two key CEOs at the center of it all, who cultivated a religion around their mission to build god-like super intelligent machines: Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, and Demis Hassabis, the CEO of DeepMind.

Supremacy sharply alerts Listners to the real threat of artificial intelligence that its top creators are ignoring: the profit-driven spread of flawed and biased technology into industries, education, media and more. With exclusive access to a network of high-ranking sources, Parmy Olson uses her 13 years of experience covering technology to bring to light the exploitation of the greatest invention in human history, and how it will impact us all.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"We gain a jarringly clear sense of the radical social and economic changes already being brought about by AI and of at least some of the risks posed by them....An accessible, insightful exploration of the history and evolving impact of AI technologies." – Kirkus Reviews

“Supremacy makes the topic of artificial intelligence approachable and entertaining by telling the human stories of the people building AI companies. There is never a dull moment in this gripping book.” – Arvind Narayanan, professor of computer science at Princeton University and co-author of AI Snake Oil

“Money, power, and a Faustian bargain that may change the world frame this timely and deeply researched account of two of the biggest players in the race to AI.” — Gary Marcus, professor emeritus at New York University and author of Taming Silicon Valley

“Parmy Olson is that rare author who writes with technological expertise about artificial intelligence without losing track of the underlying humanity informing its arrival. She’s intimately familiar with AI’s roots and reach and she’s drawn a rich blueprint for understanding the revolution it heralds. “Supremacy” is a sweeping and indispensable account of AI’s promises and perils — and a lush tutorial about our brave new world.” – Timothy L. O’Brien, Senior Executive Editor, Bloomberg Opinion

“A clear and compelling read about one of the most consequential races in the world - the invention of Artificial General Intelligence - filled with surprising and juicy details about the powerful men at the heart of it. This fascinating book re-frames AGI from a fundamental scientific pursuit to a contest between highly ambitious individuals, as personal and corporate goals collide Supremacy provides the rich context and perspective needed to understand today’s hottest news story, showing expertly how lofty ideals can evolve into commercial goals, when money and power are at stake.” – Madhumita Murgia, AI editor of the Financial Times, author, Code Dependent

The growth of AI and what it offers in the future, both good and bad

I enjoyed the explanations of the thought processes of creators trying to do the right things with AI and their fears and the discussions regarding what happens when AI gets in the hands of someone that feels absolute power is absolute, and then what if that power gets away from you

Interesting but distorted story of how we got here

It was interesting to hear the story of the competition between different AI companies -- their focus, products, approaches, and evolution over time. I better understand how we got to where we are today in AI.

However, it seems pretty clear that the author started with her views in mind, structured the narrative to fit that, and picked and chose what to cover.

She worked to show all the key players, and their people, as innocent geniuses only focused on helping mankind who were then tricked or forced into working with big tech firms (which the author clearly dislikes). She was far too quick to believe their statements about wanting to help humanity while earning astronomical salaries and occasionally being trite and petty.

My rating: 9

Great story telling. Nice insight into the world of AI and its implications towards the future

interesting read and useful for AI enthusiasts

good book telling the modern story ot how AI development is intertwined with corporate ambitious and inside stories. good read and an entertaining one but feels more on the podcast rather than a scientific book. nothing against it but clarifying this to set the readers expectations, if your looking for a light fun book to tell you the story of how and who was behind what we see on the AI scene today then this book is highly recommended

Must read

Eye opening and thought provoking. It is a must read in 2025 amid AI revolution