Coming Wave

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER ? An urgent warning of the unprecedented risks that AI and other fast-developing technologies pose to global order,?and how?we might?contain them while we have the chance—from a co-founder of the pioneering artificial intelligence company DeepMind and current CEO of Microsoft AI

"The Coming Wave" by Mustafa Suleyman and Michael Bhaskar explores the transformative and potentially disruptive impacts of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and synthetic biology. These technologies are poised to revolutionize multiple aspects of society by enabling unprecedented levels of automation, efficiency, and biological manipulation. AI is expected to surpass human cognitive abilities in various domains, while synthetic biology offers the potential to redesign life itself. Together, they promise significant benefits, such as medical breakthroughs, sustainable agricultural practices, and enhanced problem-solving capabilities, but also pose substantial risks if not properly managed.

The book highlights the core dilemma of these advancements: the challenge of containment. The authors argue that controlling and regulating the rapid proliferation of these powerful technologies is immensely difficult due to their inherent characteristics—such as hyper-evolution, omni-use, asymmetry, and autonomy—and the strong incentives driving their development. They emphasize the need for robust containment strategies to prevent misuse, accidents, and the destabilization of societal structures. The potential consequences of failing to manage these technologies include geopolitical upheaval, loss of privacy, job displacement, and even existential threats to humanity.

To address these challenges, Suleyman and Bhaskar propose a comprehensive approach involving technical, regulatory, and international measures. They advocate for creating multi-level containment strategies that include stringent safety protocols, transparent audits, and collaborative global governance frameworks. The book calls for a balance between leveraging the benefits of these technologies and mitigating their risks, urging policymakers, technologists, and society at large to act with foresight and responsibility. Ultimately, "The Coming Wave" serves as a wake-up call, underscoring the urgency of preparing for the profound changes these technological waves will bring.