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Uncontrollable : The Threat of Artificial Superintelligence and the Race to Save the World Kindle Edition

by Darren McKee (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 47 ratings
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#1 BEST SELLER AMAZON.ca - A compelling and clear exploration of the power and peril of advanced artificial intelligence that provides actionable suggestions for all citizens to create a safer future with AI.

“A captivating, balanced and remarkably up-to-date book on the most important issue of our time.” — Max Tegmark, Professor of Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and New York Times bestselling author of Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of AI

“The most accessible and engaging introduction to the risks of AI that I’ve read.” — William MacAskill, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Oxford and New York Times bestselling author of What We Owe The Future

“Written in a fluid and engaging style that allows the reader to deepen their understanding almost effortlessly. It is well-suited to public policy makers tasked with finding solutions, and to citizens interested in the big picture behind the issues.” — Duncan Cass-Beggs, Executive Director of the Global AI Risk Initiative at the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)

We are living in a world of rapid change and technological progress.

Artificial intelligence is poised to be the most significant development to affect our lives now, and in the coming years. More powerful than nuclear bombs and as impactful as electricity, fire, and oil rolled into one, advanced AI might bring us untold wonders but it could also be a threat to our jobs, our relationships, and our place in the world.

Is artificial intelligence dangerous? How does artificial intelligence work? Will artificial intelligence take over?

Uncontrollable uses engaging analogies and relatable examples to summarize AI for beginners, and unpacks AI risk and safety for readers without a technical background.

Uncontrollable examines artificial intelligence as a concept and technology, describes what AI is, how image generators and language models work, and how we don’t fully understand what is happening in these AI systems. It provides evidence to show that artificial superintelligence presents a risk to humanity, and demonstrates that it will be very difficult to understand, control, or align as it rapidly increases in capabilities and becomes more integrated into how we work, live, and play.

We are not prepared.

Yet, we can be. Uncontrollable clearly communicates the urgency to act now and provides concrete suggestions for society and concerned citizens to create a safer future with AI.

Uncontrollable is a first-of-its-kind publication and call to arms to address the defining issue of our time.
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  1. Print length
    356 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    November 24, 2023
  5. File size
    2416 KB
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CNYMF89Z
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 24, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2416 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 356 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ B0CNNYKVH1
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 47 ratings

About the author

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Darren McKee

Darren McKee

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Darren McKee (MSc, MPA) is an author, speaker, and AI advisor. He has served as a senior policy advisor and policy analyst for over 15 years, and sits on the Board of Advisors for AIGS Canada, the leading safety and governance network in the country. McKee also hosts the international award-winning podcast, The Reality Check - a top 0.5% podcast on Listen Notes with over 4 million downloads.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
47 global ratings
Accessible and funny introduction to an important hot-button topic
5 Stars
Accessible and funny introduction to an important hot-button topic
I picked this book up because AI has obviously been in the news a lot, with pundits talking both about its potential and its possible dangers. As someone who does not know much about how real-life AI actually works and why it could be dangerous, I wanted a basic but thorough introduction to the subject.This book was perfect! It makes no assumptions about a reader's knowledge and starts with the very basics ("What is intelligence?" "What is artificial intelligence?") and builds to much more complex subjects. The language is direct and stays non-technical, with lots of great analogies, and plenty of humor to keep this pretty serious topic lighthearted.Highly recommend!
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Top reviews from the United States

Helen
5.0 out of 5 stars Accessible and funny introduction to an important hot-button topic
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2023
Verified Purchase
I picked this book up because AI has obviously been in the news a lot, with pundits talking both about its potential and its possible dangers. As someone who does not know much about how real-life AI actually works and why it could be dangerous, I wanted a basic but thorough introduction to the subject.

This book was perfect! It makes no assumptions about a reader's knowledge and starts with the very basics ("What is intelligence?" "What is artificial intelligence?") and builds to much more complex subjects. The language is direct and stays non-technical, with lots of great analogies, and plenty of humor to keep this pretty serious topic lighthearted.

Highly recommend!
Customer image
Helen
5.0 out of 5 stars Accessible and funny introduction to an important hot-button topic
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2023
I picked this book up because AI has obviously been in the news a lot, with pundits talking both about its potential and its possible dangers. As someone who does not know much about how real-life AI actually works and why it could be dangerous, I wanted a basic but thorough introduction to the subject.

This book was perfect! It makes no assumptions about a reader's knowledge and starts with the very basics ("What is intelligence?" "What is artificial intelligence?") and builds to much more complex subjects. The language is direct and stays non-technical, with lots of great analogies, and plenty of humor to keep this pretty serious topic lighthearted.

Highly recommend!
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2 people found this helpful
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dylan
5.0 out of 5 stars Hands down the most important issues with AI in a very engaging and easy to read format
Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2024
Verified Purchase
This might be the most important issue of our time and Darren does a great job illustrating why this matters and what we can do about it in a captivating story that's easy to read and follow along.
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Nikola
5.0 out of 5 stars An accessible book about an extremely important topic
Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2023
Verified Purchase
This book is accessible and provides a high-level overview of AI safety, which is the most important problem that humanity is facing at the moment. It does a great job making AI safety more accessible (previously the state of the art was to read a bunch of separate papers and blog posts). If you're interested in preventing AI-caused catastrophes, read this book!
2 people found this helpful
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Gatlen Culp
5.0 out of 5 stars Authoritative introductory and up-to-date literature on AI risk
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2024
As an undergraduate with aspirations in the AI safety field, my encounter with Darren McKee was at a conference where he delivered a compelling talk on AI safety. I note this because Darren is a credible author, well established within the AI safety community and has the authority to speak on the intricacies of AI safety.

“Uncontrollable” emerges as a stellar, accessible overview of the perils associated with superintelligence, underlining the urgency with which these dangers should be addressed. This book was able to connect recent events to the broader discourse on AI risk, which is extremely salient context. Darren’s adept storytelling and use of concrete examples transform abstract concepts into relatable insights enriched my understanding of AI safety and enabling me to converse more effectively on the topic with peers.

Distinctively, Darren’s writing not only illuminates the risks but also inspires with its optimism, offering readers actionable guidance to contribute positively to the future of AI safety.

Disclaimer: Although I received a complimentary audiobook from the author, my involvement in AI safety makes me more critical of literature on the topic.
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Heather A
5.0 out of 5 stars Important Read for the Average Person to Understand AI and Its Implications
Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2024
Very well-written. Straightforward, thorough, and balanced in its outlook. As someone who already had a lot of prior knowledge about AI, I highly recommend this book particularly to individuals who are newer to the field. This is a book everyone needs to read to better understand AI and its implications.
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Nicholas
5.0 out of 5 stars Very approachable and convincing
Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2024
This book lays out clear arguments and avoids jargon where possible. It doesn't have any filler chapters. Highly recommended.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent overview of the topic for the layperson
Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2024
Well written exploration of this important topic in a manner that's very accessible to non-experts. Highly recommend!
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Deryn
5.0 out of 5 stars Lucid thinking on a complex and vitally important topic
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2024
A step by step look at where we stand in the story of AI, and what the near future could, may, and will look like. Clear and thorough. An education.
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Top reviews from other countries

Hamida
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I’ve read this decade!!!
Reviewed in Canada on March 30, 2024
Verified Purchase
I have found AI daunting because I knew nothing about it. Yet this book was an easy, captivating and most informative read. I loved it from the very first page and would recommend it to anyone who wants to understand AI. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand AI. Outstanding!!
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Hamida
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I’ve read this decade!!!
Reviewed in Canada on March 30, 2024
I have found AI daunting because I knew nothing about it. Yet this book was an easy, captivating and most informative read. I loved it from the very first page and would recommend it to anyone who wants to understand AI. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand AI. Outstanding!!
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Joshua Wendland
5.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction to the topic of AI Safety to non-experts
Reviewed in Germany on January 7, 2024
Verified Purchase
I like the book a lot, because it explains well how advanced AI systems can pose a threat to our every day lives.
It starts with some basic facts, and then progresses into more AI specific topics, before finally focusing on what threats could unfold specifically. At the end some ways to mitigate the problems are also mentioned.

Even though it is written from a very Western viewpoint, it convincingly conveys that superintelligent AIs can pose a serious threat to humanity, such as nuclear weapons (or climate change) as well.
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DANIEL A VILLENEUVE
5.0 out of 5 stars A great read and to the point.
Reviewed in Canada on March 18, 2024
Verified Purchase
I really loved this book, how it's written in a accessible way, how it addresses the issues and love that at end of each chapter, there is a quick bulleted summary of all key points discussed in that chapter.
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Erika
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for anyone wanting to learn about AI
Reviewed in Canada on January 22, 2024
Verified Purchase
This book is essential reading for anyone looking to learn more about Artificial Intelligence and its integration into society, whether for good or for ill. Filled with current examples and up-to-date research, I feel that this book provides a comprehensive explanation of AI, and concerns about what a future AI world may look like. Written in a clear, easy style for the non-technical reader, the author offers insights into how AI works, where AI innovation is headed and the potential threats of advanced AI on humanity. If you want to know more about the risks associated with advancing AI and what can be done to ensure it is developed safely, you must read this book!
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Conor
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I've read, about the most important topic in the world today
Reviewed in Canada on December 7, 2023
Verified Purchase
Uncontrollable is an entertaining and thoughtful analysis of AI and its impacts, with more than enough novel insight to be a worthwhile read to other armchair experts.

More importantly, it's far and away the best overview available for guiding an intelligent non-expert to grapple with the idea of superintelligence. While I think it makes for a good and detailed overview to someone already steeped in the field, its greatest strength is as an introduction to the concept of superintelligent AI, and the risks to humanity that it might pose - essentially, as the solution to the problem that this critical topic strikes most people as too "sci-fi" to be worth investing serious thought in.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in the field of AI generally, and AI risk specifically, but I recommend it even more strongly as a gift for that special someone on your list who really should be spending more time worrying about a paperclip-filled future :)
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