The Fourth Age: Smart Robots, Conscious Computers, And The Future Of Humanity
- Author: Byron Reese
- Narrator: Danny Campbell
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster
- Duration: 11:04:25
Synopsis
As we approach a great turning point in history when technology is poised to redefine what it means to be human, The Fourth Age offers fascinating insight into AI, robotics, and their extraordinary implications for our species. “If you only read just one book about the AI revolution, make it this one” (John Mackey, cofounder and CEO, Whole Foods Market).
In The Fourth Age, Byron Reese makes the case that technology has reshaped humanity just three times in history: 100,000 years ago, we harnessed fire, which led to language; 10,000 years ago, we developed agriculture, which led to cities and warfare; 5,000 years ago, we invented the wheel and writing, which lead to the nation state.
We are now on the doorstep of a fourth change brought about by two technologies: AI and robotics. “Timely, highly informative, and certainly optimistic” (Booklist), The Fourth Age provides an essential background on how we got to this point, and how—rather than what—we should think about the topics we’ll soon all be facing: machine consciousness, automation, changes in employment, creative computers, radical life extension, artificial life, AI ethics, the future of warfare, superintelligence, and the implications of extreme prosperity.
By asking questions like “Are you a machine?” and “Could a computer feel anything?”, Reese leads you through a discussion along the cutting edge in robotics and AI, and provides a framework by which we can all understand, discuss, and act on the issues of the Fourth Age and how they’ll transform humanity.
Chapters
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FourthAge 21 Part4 Ch16
Duration: 17min -
FourthAge 22 Ch17
Duration: 11min -
FourthAge 23 Ch18
Duration: 41min -
FourthAge 24 Ch19
Duration: 45min -
FourthAge 25 Ch20
Duration: 10min -
FourthAge 26 Ch21
Duration: 07min -
FourthAge 27 Part5 Ch22
Duration: 25min -
FourthAge 28 Ch23
Duration: 51min -
FourthAge 29 Ch24
Duration: 09min -
FourthAge 30 Ch25
Duration: 05min -
FourthAge 31 Ch26
Duration: 09min -
FourthAge 32 Credits
Duration: 55s