What to Think About Machines That Think
Today's Leading Thinkers on the Age of Machine Intelligence
By John Brockman | Publisher: HarperCollins
About the book
Weighing in from the cutting-edge frontiers of science, today’s most forward-thinking minds explore the rise of “machines that think.”
Stephen Hawking recently made headlines by noting, “The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race.” Others, conversely, have trumpeted a new age of “superintelligence” in which smart devices will exponentially extend human capacities. No longer just a matter of science-fiction fantasy (2001, Blade Runner, The Terminator, Her, etc.), it is time to seriously consider the reality of intelligent technology, many forms of which are already being integrated into our daily lives. In that spirit, John Brockman, publisher of Edge. org (“the world’s smartest website” – The Guardian), asked the world’s most influential scientists, philosophers, and artists one of today’s most consequential questions: What do you think about machines that think?
- Expert Perspectives: Explore answers from some of the world’s most influential minds, including Steven Pinker, Martin Rees, and Daniel C. Dennett, as they respond to John Brockman’s provocative question.
- The Consciousness Question: Go beyond simple computation to ask the deep questions: Would a human-level AI necessarily be conscious? Could a machine be capable of suffering or joy, and would it deserve rights?
- AI Safety and Control: Confront the debate on existential risk. Will AI descend upon us faster than we can build in fail-safes, or can we design systems that incorporate human ethical values from the start?
- The Future of Humanity: Look ahead to the posthuman era. Will organic intelligence be a brief precursor to a machine-dominated culture, or will we transcend biology by merging with our own intelligent creations?
Editions of What to Think About Machines That Think
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780062425652
- EBook
- ISBN 9780062425669
Read an Excerpt
Weighing in from the cutting-edge frontiers of science, today’s most forward-thinking minds explore the rise of “machines that think.”
Stephen Hawking recently made headlines by noting, “The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race.” Others, conversely, have trumpeted a new age of “superintelligence” in which smart devices will exponentially extend human capacities. No longer just a matter of science-fiction fantasy (2001, Blade Runner, The Terminator, Her, etc.), it is time to seriously consider the reality of intelligent technology, many forms of which are already being integrated into our daily lives. In that spirit, John Brockman, publisher of Edge. org (“the world’s smartest website” – The Guardian), asked the world’s most influential scientists, philosophers, and artists one of today’s most consequential questions: What do you think about machines that think?
- Expert Perspectives: Explore answers from some of the world’s most influential minds, including Steven Pinker, Martin Rees, and Daniel C. Dennett, as they respond to John Brockman’s provocative question.
- The Consciousness Question: Go beyond simple computation to ask the deep questions: Would a human-level AI necessarily be conscious? Could a machine be capable of suffering or joy, and would it deserve rights?
- AI Safety and Control: Confront the debate on existential risk. Will AI descend upon us faster than we can build in fail-safes, or can we design systems that incorporate human ethical values from the start?
- The Future of Humanity: Look ahead to the posthuman era. Will organic intelligence be a brief precursor to a machine-dominated culture, or will we transcend biology by merging with our own intelligent creations?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is What to Think About Machines That Think about?
Weighing in from the cutting-edge frontiers of science, today’s most forward-thinking minds explore the rise of “machines that think.”
Stephen Hawking recently made headlines by noting, “The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race.” Others, conversely, have trumpeted a new age of “superintelligence” in which smart devices will exponentially extend human capacities. No longer just a matter of science-fiction fantasy (2001, Blade Runner, The Terminator, Her, etc.), it is time to seriously consider the reality of intelligent technology, many forms of which are already being integrated into our daily lives. In that spirit, John Brockman, publisher of Edge. org (“the world’s smartest website” – The Guardian), asked the world’s most influential scientists, philosophers, and artists one of today’s most consequential questions: What do you think about machines that think?
- Expert Perspectives: Explore answers from some of the world’s most influential minds, including Steven Pinker, Martin Rees, and Daniel C. Dennett, as they respond to John Brockman’s provocative question.
- The Consciousness Question: Go beyond simple computation to ask the deep questions: Would a human-level AI necessarily be conscious? Could a machine be capable of suffering or joy, and would it deserve rights?
- AI Safety and Control: Confront the debate on existential risk. Will AI descend upon us faster than we can build in fail-safes, or can we design systems that incorporate human ethical values from the start?
- The Future of Humanity: Look ahead to the posthuman era. Will organic intelligence be a brief precursor to a machine-dominated culture, or will we transcend biology by merging with our own intelligent creations?
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in What to Think About Machines That Think?
Mathematics and Science > Science: general issues > Industrial applications of scientific research and technological innovation
Where can I read a sample of What to Think About Machines That Think?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780062425652
Is What to Think About Machines That Think part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Edge Question Series
Who is/are the Author/s of the book What to Think About Machines That Think?
John Brockman
Who is the Publisher of the book What to Think About Machines That Think?
HarperCollins
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
What to Think About Machines That Think is available as paperback(ISBN 9780062425652) and ebook(ISBN 9780062425669)
Where can I buy What to Think About Machines That Think online or support local independent bookshops?
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Where can I buy What to Think About Machines That Think?