Mustafa Suleyman could be regarded as a founding father of AI, his encyclopaedic knowledge of the topic flows through the pages. Each chapter sheds light on areas potentially not thought of before. Does the adoption of AI destroy or create jobs? Is truly sentient AI close? Or is it even possible? Suleyman speculates but only time will tell.
AI polarises opinion across all walks of life. Experts would argue that a toaster is a form of intelligence, albeit extremely rudimentary, that can provide benefits. Even this simple example, however, can provide catastrophic consequences if abused. Scaled to a functioning military, the fears are more than justified; some modern military equipment has AI incorporated in some way already.
Conversely, and what most prefer to focus on, are the vast swaths of benefits that can come from AI adoption. Medically, AI can be taught to identify diseases earlier and more accurately. Financially, it can be used to reduce errors and guide customers on the most appropriate path sooner. Legally, it could produce documents faster and with fewer errors. Commercially, it can identify areas in the supply chain that might be streamlined. Perhaps Schumpeter’s “gale of creative destruction” has never been more opaque.
Where Suleyman offers thoughts, but few conclusions on, is how AI can and will be regulated. Unified thinking is unlikely to converge, particularly across borders. An AI creates logistical and ethical concerns – should a car crash into another vehicle or mount the pavement? Do the data subjects AI learns off resemble the future subject? If AI were to get out of hand, does humanity remain in control?
This book is eye-opening and thought provoking, sprinkled with nuggets of hard-hitting reality. The adoption of the technology is seemingly inevitable, it’s simply a race of what comes first – AI or AI’s regulation. Sooner or later they’ll be writing reviews on books about itself…
Alasdair Hills - Investment Management Support Analyst
