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“The Age of AI: And Our Human Future” is a book that explores the profound impact of artificial intelligence on human society and global politics, co-authored by Henry A. Kissinger, Eric Schmidt, and Daniel Huttenlocher.

About the Authors and Book’s Origin:

  • Henry A. Kissinger (who passed away in 2023) was the 56th U.S. Secretary of State and Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. He brought expertise in foreign policy, American foreign policy, the Vietnam fiasco, and the rise of China, now focusing on the geopolitical shift brought by digital technologies. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973.
  • Eric Schmidt is an accomplished technologist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, known for his pivotal role as Google’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman from 2001-2011. He helped pioneer Google’s transformation into a global technology leader. He also co-founded Schmidt Futures and Schmidt Sciences, focusing on talent, technology, and advancing science.
  • Daniel Huttenlocher is the inaugural Dean of the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing. He was previously the founding Dean and Vice Provost of Cornell Tech. His background includes computer science faculty positions at Cornell and MIT, as well as industry experience at Xerox PARC and a fintech startup.

The book itself originated from discussions between Kissinger, Schmidt, and Huttenlocher around 2016-2017, intensifying during the COVID-19 pandemic when they collaborated remotely on Zoom. It was published in November 2022, or 2021 according to other sources.

Key Themes and Arguments:

The authors, drawing from government, industry, and academia, provide an analytical account of AI’s socio-political impacts. They do not subscribe to the idea that AI will simply take away human intelligence. Instead, the book addresses how AI:

  • Transforms human society: It explores how AI will change our relationships with knowledge, politics, and the societies we inhabit. It delves into its use in medical science, pharmaceutical research, social compositions, liberal values, and defense.
  • Creates a “new kind of intellect”: AI is presented as a third way of understanding the world, distinct from human reason and faith, which profoundly changes human identity. It can appear human but lacks human values, intentions, and morality, though it can simulate these.
  • Affects geopolitics: Nations’ power could rise or fall based on their ability to harness and manage AI. The book emphasizes that AI could become a geopolitical actor with its own motives, and its borderless nature makes it difficult to control or regulate. It argues that AI divides countries into “haves” and “have-nots” and raises concerns about who controls the vast amounts of data collected by large corporations.
  • Compounds security dilemmas: Similar to nuclear weapons, AI enhances the security dilemma due to its dual-use nature (effective governance vs. invasive surveillance). Eric Schmidt, a co-author, describes how AI could lead to a situation akin to mutually assured destruction, with states potentially resorting to preemption (e.g., bombing data centers) if one side is perceived to gain a significant, insurmountable advantage.
  • Requires new governance: The book suggests adopting a co-productionist approach (a combination of social constructivism and technological determinism) for analyzing AI geopolitics, and emphasizes knowledge sharing under the triple helix model (collaboration between government, academia, and industry). It argues that traditional regulation is outpaced by technological innovation. Governments should focus on strengthening resilience to AI threats rather than solely denial, and look beyond traditional regulatory techniques, possibly by investing in public datasets or issuing challenge grants for beneficial AI uses.

Reviews and Reception:

“The Age of AI” has received mixed but generally positive reviews:

  • It is described as “absolutely masterful” and a “salutary warning” to handle AI with care.
  • Many found it “thought-provoking” and “informative,” offering “good insights” and “real jewels of wisdom”.
  • Reviewers noted its comprehensive explanation of AI without technicalities, making it accessible to non-technical readers and a broad audience.
  • It is seen as important and timely for understanding how AI is changing the world and what it means to be human.
  • The book has been called a “masterful work” that thoroughly covers the subject matter.
  • The authors’ unique perspectives are appreciated.

However, some criticisms include:

  • The writing quality received mixed reviews, with some finding it “well written” and “brimming with verve,” while others described it as “vague” and “sloppy writing” with “too many big ideas in every paragraph”.
  • The AI content was also mixed, appreciated for its high-level overview but criticized for being “superficial,” “lacking in depth,” and “too vague”.
  • Some found the book “redundant on numerous occasions” and containing “more filler content”.
  • One review described it as “boring” and “superficial,” with “heavy philosophical musings”.

Despite the critiques, the book is widely seen as valuable and “worth a read”. Daniel Huttenlocher himself noted that all three authors wrote significant pieces of the book, sometimes in unexpected areas. Eric Schmidt suggests that AI is “underhyped” despite the constant discussion, due to its rapid advancements beyond just large language models, into areas like planning and strategy.

Buy on Amazon

The book is available for purchase on Amazon.com.

  • Formats: You can buy it in Paperback, Hardcover, Kindle eBook, and Audiobook. An Audio CD version is also listed.
  • Pricing (as of the source information):
    • Paperback: $12.44 (List Price: $19.99, a 38% saving).
    • Hardcover: $26.98.
    • Kindle: $0.00 (with Kindle Unlimited membership) or $12.99 to buy.
    • Audiobook: $0.00 (with membership).
    • Other Used and New: from $2.15 (Paperback from $4.18, Hardcover from $2.15, Audio CD from $26.00).
  • Shipping: It is eligible for FREE delivery with Amazon Prime or on orders over $35 shipped by Amazon.
  • Availability: The paperback version is shown as “In Stock”.
  • Publisher: Back Bay Books.

In essence, “The Age of AI” serves as a compass for navigating the profound changes brought about by AI, urging a collaborative and nuanced approach to its development and governance, much like a seasoned cartographer charting new, unpredictable seas.