In Our Own Image: Will artificial intelligence save or destroy us?

Description

A compelling account of the past and potential future of Artificial Intelligence - and the implications of its fate for science and humankind 'TIMELY AND IMPORTANT' JIM AL-KHALILI In Our Own Image by Dr George Zarkadakis explores one of humankind's oldest love-hate relationships - our ties with Artificial Intelligence or AI. Zarkadakis traces AI's origins in ancient myth, through literary classics such as Frankenstein, to today's sci-fi blockbusters, arguing that a fascination with AI is hardwired into the human psyche. He explains AI's history, technology and potential; its manifestations in intelligent machines; its connections to neurology and consciousness, as well as - perhaps most tellingly - what AI reveals about us as human beings. In Our Own Image argues that we are on the brink of a fourth industrial revolution - poised to enter the age of Artificial Intelligence as science fiction becomes science fact. Ultimately, Zarkadakis observes, the fate of AI has profound implications for the future of science and humanity itself.

George Zarkadakis is a well-connected science writer, playwright and novelist with a PhD in Artificial Intelligence. He has worked for organisations including the European Commission and the British Council, Silicon Graphicsand the European Bioinformatics Institute; appeared on the History Channel; written for publications such as Aeon digital magazine and the Washington Post; and been knighted by the French government for his services to science communication.

Zarkadakis is an exciting and original thinker in the field of Artificial Intelligence and has written a book that is timely and important. * Jim Al-Khalili PhD OBE, author of Paradox * A mindful and historical look at the hope, hype and reality of artificial consciousness -- Stuart Hameroff, co-author of Consciousness and the Universe Fascinating rich...interweaves sci-fi visions with explorations of the philosophy, technology and deep history of artificial super-intelligence -- Steve Cave * Financial Times * Ingenious...A delightfully lucid combination of the history, philosophy, and science behind thinking machines. * Kirkus Reviews * fascinating...the most comprehensive history of AI for our digital age highly accessible * Publisher's Weekly *