Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence Paperback – Illustrated, 31 July 2018

Disclaimer: I know the author and I reviewed the book and sent feedback to him while it was being written.This is not a dry, emotionless science book. Max Tegmark is passionate about conscious beings in general, and humanity in particular, having a good future in the universe, and he communicates this well in this fascinating and readable book.Tegmark is concerned about our future, and how it might be affected by the arrival of superintelligent machines. This, of course, has long been a favourite topic for dystopian science fiction writers, but Tegmark looks at the subject rationally – exploring both the risks and opportunities for humanity that thinking machines might present. Throughout, he keeps the discussion accessible through use of real-world examples and possible scenarios that show how very good – or very bad – things might happen.Tegmark is rightly very concerned with two AI problems. One of these is the “utility function” or “goal” problem. That just means the problem that, if you have a machine that tries to achieve the goals that humanity gives it, it might, without any maliciousness at all, use its great intelligence to satisfy those goals in a way that we didn’t anticipate and which we didn’t want. As a simple example, imagine a computer that is told to make humans as happy as possible: don’t be surprised if it takes over and puts wires into people’s brains to make us all forcibly happy 24/7. The other problem is the “boxing” problem: if you are concerned that a superintelligent machine might take over (possibly due to just the kind of utility-function misunderstanding I just mentioned), you might try to “box” it – to prevent it from interacting with the world except via carefully selected human intermediaries. Is boxing safe? Tegmark presents a worrying scenario that shows just how such plans could go awry. The treatment throughout is easy-to-follow and engaging – in places, as if you are reading a scientifically motivated argument carefully crafted as a tech-thriller to keep you interested.But Tegmark’s scope is wider than this: if we keep control of AI, what will happen to employment? Will people still have jobs? What would motivate people if machines could do everything better? Is this even a realistic concern? Throughout all the discussion there is an appeal to all of us not to let history go on by itself, but instead to inform ourselves and participate in a discussion about the kind of world we want to live in. Tegmark is committed to this cause, and to this end he has set up the Future of Life Institute. Even if you don’t agree with all the ideas, Tegmark makes a convincing case that this is a discussion we need to have, and his book is an important invitation to that discussion. Given what is at stake, it might just be one of the most important books ever.

Im a uni student studying artificial intelligence and it was a good book, i finished within 2 days it didn’t go into a lot of detail but perfect if your just starting out and don’t know anything about the subject

This book provides food for thought for anyone who wishes to think about the potential impact of artificial intelligence on life on Earth and, by necessary association, throughout our observable universe. Given AI is already with us and growing everyday, it behoves all of us to think about what sort of future we want in an AI enabled world. And then to do something about it. We don’t have to be physicists, politicians or intellectuals - we can all do something as citizens.The maths in this book can be baffling, especially to those of us with no head for numbers, but the prose amply describes the problems posed and potential solutions without the need to grasp the maths. It is a very thought provoking book, which should be read by everyone, not just those to whom we usually delegate the shaping of our collective futures. It is simply written but covers complex issues, so be prepared to read, gain understanding, reflect and then come back to read further. Ultimately it is intensely rewarding.

Life 3.0 poses an interesting question: What happens when humans are no longer the smartest species on the planet? Tegmark has written a compelling challenge analysis of the choices facing us as we create ever more powerful AI super-computers; will they usher in a new era – or will they replace us? This is a tale about our own future with AI.Tegmark covers concepts from computing to cosmology with extraordinary clarity, whilst reminding us that many of these ideas were created by science fiction writers more than 50 years ago. And throughout he asks us to consider how we want AI to impact on our lives, jobs, laws and weapons. How will we live with a greater intelligence than our own, of our own creation?He doesn’t offer any simple answers to the challenge, but instead sets the reader thinking about what kind of future we would want to create. He does this in an insightful, unintimidating way that invites you to come to your own conclusions.Life 3.0 is an exciting, accessible read that has helped me think anew about the future in a world with artificial intelligence. Will it be Utopia or a catastrophe?

While "Life 3.0" offers an engaging exploration into the potential futures of superintelligent AI, providing readers with vivid scenarios that are both well-structured and thought-provoking, the book has its shortcomings. One of the most notable deviations is Tegmark's venture into the realm of consciousness. Attempting to tackle one of the most intricate subjects in philosophy, the author, primarily trained as a physicist, falls well short of the structured rigor expected in philosophical discourse. The discussion feels more like a meandering thought process than a concise, deductive conclusion, leaving the reader desiring a more grounded exploration of the topic. Whether his attempt to tackle such a complex topic is courageous or arrogant depends on your perspetive.Finally, the book often leans heavily into autobiographical territory. While a brief insight into the author's is acceptable, "Life 3.0" often feels self-indulgent, with considerable name-dropping and personal anecdotes. Such diversions significantly detract from the book, leaving readers feeling as though they are navigating through Tegmark's personal journey rather than delving deep into the intricacies of AI.

Loved this book, the Concepts, Scientific research and sheer knowledge imparted within this book is exceptional- Max is way ahead of his time and Thank You for making me so much more knowledgeable