The Coming Wave: AI, Power, and Our Future

The Coming Wave: AI, Power, and Our Future by Mustafa Suleyman

The author has been involved with AI. He also sees many challenges and opportunities with new technology. Humans have been able to postpone the collapse of society due to technology. We need technology. However, AI could become an existential threat. People have dominated because they are smarter than other animals. If AI is smarter than humans will we become subservient? The author proposes Universal Basic Income as part of the solution. Will this just be the equivalent of putting humans in a zoo or game reserve?

With technology we have reached the point where a single person could potentially cause the death of a billion. There are many opportunities for both good and bad in biology. AI can rapidly determine what compounds could combat diseases. This same AI could also find poisons. BioEngineered organisms could go into the wild with foreseen and unforeseen results. How can this be controlled?

Our society has depended on technology. It also has limited choke points where that could be cut off causing harm. Ransomware and other "bad actions" can impact large numbers of people across the world. Damage is not limited to certain areas.

Technology has multiple uses. Some may be useful for business while also being beneficial for military. Is the concept of a nation-state at risk. Will some aggrieved group use technology to harm large numbers of others? Will it be a terrorist group? Or perhaps animal rights activists? Or even somebody with goals that they feel altruistic. The author proposes limitations that may include censorship. However, this could be problematic due to different values. He even gave an example of one board member being forced off because people didn't like is political views. If some views are forbidden, it could lead to further separation and danger.