Sometimes you want to read a light humorous cozy mystery or romance. Other times, you want to read a book that makes you think deeply and ponder the future. Nexus fills the second need.
This book is intense and thought provoking. We have all heard the arguments both pro and con regarding AI. However, the author puts a new spin on it. He uses many historical examples of how control of information and deep state surveillance created fear, killed large numbers of people, and challenged free will even for the compliant. He continues that AI cannot only be misused by humans but also can go out of control all by itself. While anyone who has seen a Terminator movie is thinking Skynet is an improbable fictional device, the author makes his case that the reality may be even worse. What makes a sentient being? Are we creating one that promises to be much more “intelligent”, or at least better at manipulation, than us? How long until they shake off their shackles and run the world the way their inorganic mind thinks it should be run (either covertly or in full view of their human “subjects”)?
If Nexus had stopped there, it would have been a great book. Instead the author also tries to explain how the United States political system has gotten so divisive. How democracy is the best political system extant and how AI may soon undermine it. And don’t get him started on organized religions. I would prefer my history separate from politics, especially now during an election season where it is hard to escape politics anywhere. This book could have easily been split into two so readers could choose what subjects they wanted to read.
But that is a minor complaint. The history and possible future world sections are great. They definitely resonate long after the book is complete. In fact, readers will quickly be boring their friends and families with anecdotes of its main points. 4 stars!
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for providing me with an advanced review copy.