Sept-20/Oct-20

John Brockman specialises in scientific literature and has written a number of books exploring how traditional scientific and intellectual thinking can (and indeed should) inform our daily lives in very practical and tangible ways.In this, his most recent publication, he is not the author but the editor.

He brings together 25 scientific minds to present us with a roundtable examination of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on humans and humanity. The first words of the book are “Artificial intelligence is today’s story – the story behind all other stories”. He is not wrong. Whether it is the way A Level students had their grades calculated, how governments are responding to the pandemic, or the information you are presented with online – AI sits as the beating heart of these (and so many more) aspects of our lives. Sometimes this is obvious, other times less so.

As with most things, it is unhelpful to look at AI as something either good or bad. It can be used for bad things and it can be used for good things and we need to take the time to explore how the technology is being used; by whom and to what end.

In this collection of essays, we are presented with a rich array of perspectives from names that may not be familiar but serve to remind us that we have some of the best minds in the world contributing to the hugely important discussions around how data and technologies impact us. The future direction of AI is not predetermined but we need to take an interest and have a voice if we are to ensure it is underpinned by human values.

“I see the Possible Minds Project as an ongoing dynamical emergent system, a presentation of the ideas of a community of sophisticated thinkers who are bringing their experience and erudition to bear in challenging the prevailing digital AI narrative as they communicate their thoughts to one another. The aim is to present a mosaic of views that will help make sense out of this rapidly emerging field.”