Has 200 years of science fiction prepared us for AI?

Has 200 years of science fiction prepared us for AI?
Recent advances in artificial intelligence have edged the world closer to the kinds of machines envisioned in many apocalyptic stories. (Image: Depositphotos)
Bloomberg
By Stephen MihmThe arrival of a new generation of artificial-intelligence chatbots and apps has fuelled hysteria that humans may soon become obsolete, or worse, the victims of a Skynet scenario, in which our AI creations become sentient and turn against us. Even the biggest AI boosters recently called for a moratorium on further research until we can better assess the risks.The perils posed by today’s technology may well be new and noteworthy, but our anxiety is not. For two centuries, humankind has fretted about what might happen if...

More Books

‘Hostage’: From a place of darkness
The Life Review

‘Hostage’: From a place of darkness

Hamas kidnapped Eli Sharabi on Oct 7, 2023. His memoir recounts a hellish ordeal.

‘When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows…’
The Life Review

‘When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows…’

The oddities of social life may turn on our assumptions about the knowledge we share.

‘Rocket Dreams’: highs and lows of billionaire space race
The Life Review

‘Rocket Dreams’: highs and lows of billionaire space race

The book recounts the growing friction between Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk.

‘Summer of Our Discontent’: An age of rage
The Life Review

‘Summer of Our Discontent’: An age of rage

Are lessons to be learned from the tumultuous 2020 pandemic and social unrest?