In Our Own Image

Savior or Destroyer? The History and Future of Artificial Intelligence

By: George Zarkadakis

Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

A timely and important book that explores the societal and ethical implications of artificial intelligence as we approach the cusp of a fourth industrial revolution.

George Zarkadakis explores one of humankind's oldest love-hate relationships: our ties with artificial intelligence, or AI. He traces AI's origins in ancient myth, through literary classics like Frankenstein to today's science fiction blockbusters, arguing that a fascination with AI is hardwired into the human psyche. He explains AI's history, technology, and potential; its manifestations in intelligent machines; its connections to neurology and consciousness; and - perhaps most tellingly - what AI reveals about us as human beings.

In Our Own Image argues that we are on the brink of a fourth industrial revolution - poised to enter the age of artificial intelligence as science fiction becomes science fact. Ultimately, Zarkadakis observes, the fate of AI has profound implications for the future of science and humanity itself.

©2015 George Zarkadakis (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Not exactly what I expected, but brilliant nonetheless

I'd definitely recommend this to anyone even remotely interested in AI and computer science. The book’s subtitle “savior or destroyer...” might come across as overly dramatic, but as you get into it, you’ll find that this book is far removed from speculation and “Yang-gang” alarmism. Instead Zarkardakis takes a lot of time examining human and computer intelligence through the lens of literature and philosophy. As the book tries to weave together Neuroscience, Formal Logic, and fiction (from Frankenstein to the Terminator series) it might seem a bit unorganized, so if you’re looking for a super-focused, technical introduction, this book might not be for you. But for everyone else, you’ll find it to be an thought-provoking, interdisciplinary look at our future’s most pressing dillema.

Wow.

Incredibly thorough examination of the progression of AI and its implications for our society. Highly recommend.

Everything is What WE make it

As a science lover, deeply interested in the human condition, this book was perfect for me. Zarkadakis has a psychologists knack for analyzing the human thought process, coupled with a computer scientist's gift for logic. This book convinced me that artificial intelligence is both inevitable because of human's endless desire to create, and impossible because of our human inability to recognize anything as our equal. It does an excellent job of providing answers to questions you may have while still leaving you with infinitely more to ponder. Definitely worth a listen.

Covers a Lot of Ground

Good coverage of history and science and technology, but you can throw-out all the philosophizing and prophesying - they reflect the philosophical vapidity and tunnel-vision of the author's generation...

Wide-ranging analysis, all of it fascinating

Any additional comments?

This is the best book I have read on human consciousness. I really appreciated the blend of cultural background with the reporting on scientific research. Especially if you think the Turing Test is all there is to determining artificial intelligence, think again! I learned a lot from this book and enjoyed every bit of it.