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The Coming Wave

"The Coming Wave" by Mustafa Suleyman is a seminal piece that delves into the realms of artificial intelligence (AI) and the impending technological revolution of the 21st century. Below is a synthesis of the book's essence and its table of contents.

Overview

The narrative, penned by a co-founder of the renowned AI enterprise DeepMind, embarks on a journey through the challenges and prospects that AI brings to the table in today's era. It's highlighted for its practical advice on steering AI towards beneficial outcomes and is lauded for its stimulating and insightful discourse, albeit with some criticism for a perceived self-serving tone.

Suleyman prognosticates that the forthcoming decade will be characterized by a surge of potent, rapidly evolving new technologies. He explicates how these technological forces could engender immense prosperity whilst posing a threat to the nation-state, a cornerstone of global order, and nudging our delicate governments towards a precarious brink.

In this groundbreaking exposition, Suleyman introduces the readers to "the containment problem"—a quest to retain control over formidable technologies, terming it as a pivotal challenge of our age. The book is a clarion call underscoring the grave risks AI and rapidly advancing technologies pose to global stability. It unveils how these technological novelties will morph our lives, encompassing AI-driven enterprises, quantum computing, and engineered pathogens.

About the author

Mustafa Suleyman is a prominent figure in the field of artificial intelligence, known for his significant contributions as a researcher and entrepreneur. Born in August 1984, he co-founded DeepMind, an AI company that was later acquired by Google. His role at DeepMind as the head of applied AI allowed him to make substantial contributions to the field over a decade. After DeepMind's acquisition, he joined Google, where he worked as the Vice President of AI Products and AI Policy​​​​​​.

Currently, Suleyman is leading Inflection AI as its CEO. This company aims to redefine the interaction between humans and computers, focusing on AI-first solutions. His venture into Inflection AI and his experience as a venture partner at Greylock Partners showcase his continued influence and dedication in the tech industry​​​​​​.

Suleyman has been recognized for his contributions to the technology sector in both the US and the UK. He was awarded the Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 2019 for his impact in the UK technology sector. That same year, he received the Silicon Valley Visionary Award. He also serves as a Senior Fellow at The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School, focusing on the geostrategic challenges of future AI systems. Additionally, he is a board member at The Economist and part of the Steering Committee of the World Economic Forum's AI Governance Alliance​​.

Book table of Contents

  1. Prologue
  2. Containment is not possible
  3. Part I: Homo technologicus
    • Endless proliferation
    • The containment problem
  4. Part II: The next wave
    • The technology of intelligence
    • The technology of life
    • The wider wave
    • Four features of the coming wave
    • Unstoppable incentives
  5. Part III: States of failure
    • The grand bargain
    • Fragility amplifiers
    • The future of nations
    • The dilemma

  6. Part IV: Through the wave

    • Containment must be possible
    • Ten steps toward containment
    • Life after the anthropocene

    This book not only sketches a picture of an imminent technological wave but also endeavors to navigate through the complex maze of future tech, hinting at a blend of promise and peril that awaits.

Other topics

  • Risks and Rewards of AI: Discusses the potential of AI and genetic engineering to revolutionize our world, either leading to unprecedented prosperity or dystopian outcomes, based on how we use these technologies.
  • Revenge Effects: Explores the unintended consequences of technological advancements, historically and potentially with AI and genetic engineering, illustrating that breakthroughs often come with unexpected side-effects​1​.