Listen to a sample
Artificial You
- Author
- Susan Schneider
- Narrator
- Katherine Fenton
- Publisher
- Princeton University Press
- Publish Date
- 1 October 2019
- Run Time
- 5 hours 11 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
"Entertaining and profound."—Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal
Hailed by the
Washington Post as "a sure-footed and witty guide to slippery ethical terrain."
This audiobook narrated by Katherine Fenton take you on a philosophical exploration of AI and the future of the mind
Humans may not be Earth's most intelligent beings for much longer: the world champions of chess, Go, and
Jeopardy! are now all AIs. Given the rapid pace of progress in AI, many predict that it could advance to human-level intelligence within the next several decades. From there, it could quickly outpace human intelligence. What do these developments mean for the future of the mind?
In
Artificial You, Susan Schneider says that it is inevitable that AI will take intelligence in new directions, but urges that it is up to us to carve out a sensible path forward. As AI technology turns inward, reshaping the brain, as well as outward, potentially creating machine minds, it is crucial to beware. Homo sapiens, as mind designers, will be playing with "tools" they do not understand how to use: the self, the mind, and consciousness. Schneider argues that an insufficient grasp of the nature of these entities could undermine the use of AI and brain enhancement technology, bringing about the demise or suffering of conscious beings. To flourish, we must grasp the philosophical issues lying beneath the algorithms.
At the heart of her exploration is a sober-minded discussion of what AI can truly achieve: Can robots really be conscious? Can we merge with AI, as tech leaders like Elon Musk and Ray Kurzweil suggest? Is the mind just a program? Examining these thorny issues, Schneider proposes ways we can test for machine consciousness, questions whether consciousness is an unavoidable byproduct of sophisticated intelligence, and considers the overall dangers of creating machine minds.
Critics Review
-
"[A] demanding dialogue between philosophy and science."---Andrew Robinson, Nature
Nature
-
"Finalist for the PROSE Award in Philosophy, Association of American Publishers"
Association of American Publishers
-
"Packed with material that enlightens new ways of thinking about a hot topic. . . . a philosophical tour with real-world implications and it'll appeal most to readers who enjoy playing out scenarios. . . . One of the benefits of learning about AI is better understanding the human mind, and this book—while challenging—offers an accessible, enjoyable intro for both."---David DiSalvo, Forbes
Forbes
-
"Schneider is a sure-footed and witty guide to slippery ethical terrain. Her exposition of the consciousness problem is laced with helpful examples. It pries clarity from the essential opacity of its central concepts, most important consciousness itself. And it is refreshingly candid."---Aziz Huq, Washington Post
Washington Post
See more reviews See fewer reviews
-
"[A] well-reasoned and thoughtful discussion about the need for AI researchers and policymakers to place more emphasis on the question of consciousness."---Martin De Saulles, Times Higher Education
Times Higher Education
-
"This is a fun, provocative, thoughtful and interesting book to read. . . . As we rush, almost unthinkingly into an AI enhanced world this is a book that is well worth reading."---Simon Cocking, Irish Tech News
Irish Tech News
-
"One of Forbes' Must-Read Brain Books of 2019"
Forbes
-
"This book is a delight to read. Deeply satisfying: a double prolonged plea for humility as we explore questions [of AI and the nature of consciousness]. A stimulating and accessible blend of neuroethical speculation and provocation, all deriving from a deeply felt moral mission. In short, highly recommend."---John Banja, AJOB Neuroscience
AJOB Neuroscience
-
"Accessible and intriguing. . . . A significant contribution to some of the often-overlooked ethical issues surrounding the continued development of artificial intelligence."---Ken Daley, The Philosopher's Magazine
The Philosopher's Magazine
User Reviews
No reviews yet.
Details
- Author
- Susan Schneider
- Narrator
- Katherine Fenton
- Duration
- 5 hours 11 minutes
- Release Date
- 1 October 2019
- ISBN
- 9780691199092
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Princeton University Press
- Genre
- Neurosciences, Cognitive studies
Synopsis
"Entertaining and profound."—Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal Hailed by the Washington Post as "a sure-footed and witty guide to slippery ethical terrain." This audiobook narrated by Katherine Fenton take you on a philosophical exploration of AI and the future of the mind Humans may not be Earth's most intelligent beings for much longer: the world champions of chess, Go, and Jeopardy! are now all AIs. Given the rapid pace of progress in AI, many predict that it could advance to human-level intelligence within the next several decades. From there, it could quickly outpace human intelligence. What do these developments mean for the future of the mind? In Artificial You, Susan Schneider says that it is inevitable that AI will take intelligence in new directions, but urges that it is up to us to carve out a sensible path forward. As AI technology turns inward, reshaping the brain, as well as outward, potentially creating machine minds, it is crucial to beware. Homo sapiens, as mind designers, will be playing with "tools" they do not understand how to use: the self, the mind, and consciousness. Schneider argues that an insufficient grasp of the nature of these entities could undermine the use of AI and brain enhancement technology, bringing about the demise or suffering of conscious beings. To flourish, we must grasp the philosophical issues lying beneath the algorithms. At the heart of her exploration is a sober-minded discussion of what AI can truly achieve: Can robots really be conscious? Can we merge with AI, as tech leaders like Elon Musk and Ray Kurzweil suggest? Is the mind just a program? Examining these thorny issues, Schneider proposes ways we can test for machine consciousness, questions whether consciousness is an unavoidable byproduct of sophisticated intelligence, and considers the overall dangers of creating machine minds.
About xigxag
xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK's only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.
There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at $13.95. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from $7.95. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.
Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.
Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.