Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI by Yuvah Noah Hariri
AI at large
"If we are so wise, why are we so stupid?"
This book is about information. For the last 100,000 years, we Sapiens have accumulated enormous power. But despite allour discoveries, inventions, and conquests, we now find ourselves in an existential crisis. The world is on the verge of ecological collapse. Misinformation abounds. And we are rushing headlong into the age of AI—a new information network that threatens to annihilate us. For all that we have accomplished, why are we so self-destructive?
I am a fan of Yuvah Noah Hariri, his 'Sapiens' book is a bestseller for a reason: the historian knows how to tell a good story, hell he theorizes - he's not the first obviously - that the first glue for societies beyond a certain number of members is stories elevated to the myth status. It was only right I jumped on his first official foray into AI as it is the hot topic in 2024, and he does it with his unique perspective that takes into account what we as humans tend to excel or fail at.
A few questions this book tries to give an answer to
- What is the distinction between truth and reality?
- Are we ready for AI?
- #TODO?
Who should read this book?
Anyone interested in the effects of a machine learning system on a human group or humans altogether. It's a must read for all AI enthusiasts and operators really.
Takeaways
- #TODO
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