How is AI changing our lives? What is happening to society and the economy? What personal impact does this have on us? Some experts predict an era of technological superiority, while others warn of potential risks, such as job losses and ethical concerns. The GDI think tank recommends four non-fiction books by leading international experts on this topic. The books explore and analyse the latest developments and potential future scenarios. They shed light on machine learning, robotics, ethical implications and the impact on society.
‘Co-Intelligence: Living and Working’ by Ethan Mollick
In November 2022, a new phenomenon entered our world - the first general-purpose AI solution that could pass for a human being and perform the kind of creative, innovative tasks that only humans could previously do. Wharton professor Ethan Mollick immediately understood what ChatGPT meant: after millions of years, humans had developed a form of co-intelligence that could supplement or even replace human thinking. Through his writing, lectures and teaching, Mollick has become one of the most prominent and provocative interpreters of AI, focusing on the practical ways in which these new thought tools can change our world.In ‘Co-Intelligence’, Mollick calls for people to engage with AI as employees, teachers or coaches. Using dozens of examples, he assesses its far-reaching implications for the economy and education. Co-Intelligence reveals what it means to think and collaborate with intelligent machines and why it’s absolutely vital that we master these skills.
‘The Future Is Faster Than You Think: How Converging Technologies Are Transforming Business, Industries, and Our Lives’ by Peter Diamandis and Steven Kotler
Technology is accelerating at a much faster pace than people can imagine. Over the next decade, we will experience greater upheaval and create more prosperity than in the past century. In ‘The Future Is Faster Than You Think’, Diamandis, a space entrepreneur turned innovation pioneer, and Kotler, a bestselling author, explore what impact wave after wave of exponentially accelerating technologies will have on both our daily lives and society as a whole. What happens when AI, robotics, virtual reality, digital biology and sensors meet 3D printing, blockchain and global gigabit networks? How will these convergences change today's industries? What effect will AI have on the way we educate our children, govern our nations and look after our planet?
‘Power and Prediction: The Disruptive Economics of Artificial Intelligence’ by Ajay Agrawal, Joshua Gans, and Avi Goldfarb
Artificial intelligence is being deployed in many industries around the world. But the odyssey towards cheaper, better and faster predictions that drive strategic business decisions has only just begun. If the prediction is taken to the extreme, the industries will change to the extent where a turning point is reached.
In their first book, the best-seller ‘Prediction Machines’, leading economists Ajay Agrawal Joshua Gans and Avi Goldfarb explained the simple, but game-changing economic aspects of AI. In ‘Power and Prediction’ they now delve even deeper and explore the most fundamental element of their analysis – decision-making. The authors explain that the two key parts of decision-making are prediction and judgment, and that we carry out both processes together in our minds, often without realizing it. The rise of AI means the performance of prediction is shifting from humans to machines, relieving humans of this cognitive workload, while improving the speed and accuracy of decision-making. AI is also capable of changing the fundamental principles of forecasting, thereby revolutionizing entire systems and industries. Understanding the interplay between AI-based predictions and human judgment will be crucial for businesses and policy makers. This will enable them to take advantage of advancements in AI without succumbing to potential pitfalls.
‘The Coming Wave: Technology, Power, and the Twenty-first Century's Greatest Dilemma’ by Mustafa Suleyman
As co-founder of the pioneering AI firm DeepMind, which has now been part of Google for some time, Mustafa Suleyman was at the heart of the AI revolution. The coming decade, he argues, will be defined by this wave of powerful, rapidly expanding new technologies.
In ‘The Coming Wave’, Suleyman illustrates how these forces will create tremendous prosperity, but also present a threat to the nation state, the foundation of the global order. As our fragile governments sleepwalk into disaster, we face an existential dilemma: unprecedented damage, on one hand, and the threat of overly powerful surveillance, on the other.
We also recommend the GDI study «Creative through AI» by Jan Bieser, published in 2022. This examines how AI can influence and support the human creative process to develop new ideas. The study identifies three measures for harnessing this potential. It is available to download free of charge.
The GDI is also currently working on a study on future disruptions to the retail sector in the wake of the implementation of AI. Various scenarios are used to explore huge changes in the industry and possible developments. The study will be published in the course of 2024.
The GDI has been focusing on artificial intelligence for several years. In 2019, an artificial intelligence solution was awarded the Gottlieb Duttweiler Prize for the first time, and the topic of the recent 20th European Trend Day was ‘AI Buddy: Redefining Social Relationships.’ Leading international researchers looked at the use of artificial intelligence and the consequences for our social relationships. Key impressions of the conference and video interviews can be found on our website.
The latest episode of the GDI podcast also looks back at the AI conference. Listen now!
Which trends are dominating your industry? And how are the global first movers and market leaders reacting? Use our knowledge in your company for in-house retreats or customer events. Our GDI trend researchers will provide you with inspiration for the future of your business with their presentations.