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adamsw216's review
2.0
Murray Shanahan presents a comprehensive analysis of what a future with artificial intelligence looks like. Filled with thought experiments and philosophical and moral questions, The Technological Singularity examines AI closely, along with the implications it has for humanity.
However, my main issue with this book is that it seems to be unsteadily balanced between casual writing for the general public and academic text. It has a lot of interesting content that is directed towards people who are unfamiliar with its subject matter, but it is often written in a detached, aloof manner that may alienate the reader. I feel like Shanahan has found this strange middle spot where it is too simplistic for those who take a keen interest in this subject, but too cumbersome for those who are just being introduced to it.
To be frank, this book can be a slog, but if you are interested in AI and have very little knowledge of the subject, this may be a good overview for you (but maybe make this your second book after starting with something a little more engaging).
However, my main issue with this book is that it seems to be unsteadily balanced between casual writing for the general public and academic text. It has a lot of interesting content that is directed towards people who are unfamiliar with its subject matter, but it is often written in a detached, aloof manner that may alienate the reader. I feel like Shanahan has found this strange middle spot where it is too simplistic for those who take a keen interest in this subject, but too cumbersome for those who are just being introduced to it.
To be frank, this book can be a slog, but if you are interested in AI and have very little knowledge of the subject, this may be a good overview for you (but maybe make this your second book after starting with something a little more engaging).
balise's review against another edition
5.0
"The singularity" is a term that any science-fiction fan and/or computer scientist will have heard. I will confess that the definition and implications of it weren't that clear to me before starting this book. Shanahan does a very good job at defining it, considering how artificial general intelligence could possibly be achieved, how it can lead to singularity, and what could be the impact of this, considering both technical and philosophical questions, at a very accessible and pretty engaging level. A thoroughly interesting read - although it definitely adds to the general sense of World Anxiety instead of alleviating it ;)
tcovey's review against another edition
5.0
he covers it all.
the question isn't really about when but is really what it means to be human.
the question isn't really about when but is really what it means to be human.
bookishl's review against another edition
3.0
3.5. Utterly fascinating. Some of the science totally went over my head in the beginning though, not gonna lie.
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