TMinus AI, Michael Kanaan
TMinus AI, Michael Kanaan
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T-Minus AI
Humanity's Countdown to Artificial Intelligence and the New Pursuit of Global Power

Author: Michael Kanaan

Narrator: Braden Wright

Unabridged: 8 hr 28 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 10/20/2020


Synopsis

"Mike Kanaan is an influential new voice in the field of AI, and his thoughts paint an insightful perspective. A thought-provoking read." Eric Schmidt, former CEO and executive chairman of GoogleLate in 2017, the conversation about the global impact of artificial intelligence (AI) changed forever. China delivered a bold message when it released a national plan to dominate all aspects of AI across the planet. Within weeks, Russia's Vladimir Putin raised the stakes by declaring AI the future for all humankind, and proclaiming that, "Whoever becomes the leader in this sphere will become the ruler of the world."The race was on. Consistent with their unique national agendas, countries throughout the world began plotting their paths and hurrying their pace. Now, not long after, the race has become a sprint.Despite everything at risk, for most of us AI remains shrouded by a cloud of mystery and misunderstanding. Hidden behind complex technical terms and confused even further by extravagant depictions in science fiction, the realities of AI and its profound implications are hard to decipher, but no less crucial to understand.In T-Minus AI: Humanity's Countdown to Artificial Intelligence and the New Pursuit of Global Power, author Michael Kanaan explains the realities of AI from a human-oriented perspective that's easy to comprehend. A recognized national expert and the U.S. Air Force's first Chairperson for Artificial Intelligence, Kanaan weaves a compelling new view on our history of innovation and technology to masterfully explain what each of us should know about modern computing, AI, and machine learning.Kanaan also illuminates the global implications of AI by highlighting the cultural and national vulnerabilities already exposed and the pressing issues now squarely on the table. AI has already become China's all-purpose tool to impose authoritarian influence around the world. Russia, playing catch up, is weaponizing AI through its military systems and now infamous, aggressive efforts to disrupt democracy by whatever disinformation means possible.America and like-minded nations are awakening to these new realities, and the paths they're electing to follow echo loudly, in most cases, the political foundations and moral imperatives upon which they were formed.As we march toward a future far different than ever imagined, T-Minus AI is fascinating and critically well-timed. It leaves the fiction behind, paints the alarming implications of AI for what they actually are, and calls for unified action to protect fundamental human rights and dignities for all.

About Michael Kanaan

Michael Kanaan was the first chairperson of artificial intelligence for the U.S. Air Force, Headquarters Pentagon. In that role, he authored and guided the research, development, and implementation strategies for AI technology and machine learning activities across its global operations. He is currently the Director of Operations for Air Force / MIT Artificial Intelligence. In recognition of his fast-rising career and broad influence, the author was named to the 2019 Forbes "30 Under 30" list and has received numerous other awards and prestigious honors -- including the Air Force's 2018 General Larry O. Spencer Award for Innovation as well as the US Government's Arthur S. Flemming Award (an honor shared by past recipients Neil Armstrong, Robert Gates, and Elizabeth Dole). Kanaan is a graduate of the US Air Force Academy and previously led a National Intelligence Campaign for Operation Inherent Resolve in Syria and Iraq.


Reviews

Goodreads review by 8stitches 9lives on August 25, 2020

Just like the space race in the 1950s, there is now intense geopolitical competition and rivalry between countries attempting to be the first to truly harness the power of AI. With the vast circumstances AI can be used in it is a powerful weapon to have in your arsenal, especially if you have discov......more

Goodreads review by human on October 18, 2020

Thank you to Netgalley and BenBella Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed reading this book, and I was quite pleasantly surprised that I did, because non-fiction is a genre that I rarely like. The narrator was able to explain many complex or complicated ideas......more

Goodreads review by Clara on August 22, 2020

[ Cross-posted to Comments by Clara ] Continuing my trend of reading science nonfiction, I snagged a copy of T-Minus AI in order to learn a bit more about the real-world realities of emerging artificial intelligence technologies as opposed to their fictional counterparts. While I had a vague idea of......more

Goodreads review by Hüseyin on September 21, 2021

When I first encountered with this book, I supposed that I will get overview of the possible future scenarios on the wold that is dominated and ruled by new superpower, AI because it's name implies such powerful image to me. On the other hand, book organized like a history text book and starts from......more

Goodreads review by Peter on November 29, 2020

A solid enough overview of what AI is and isn't. The first half was a high-level summary of the evolution of AI while the second half focused more on its impact on modern society. Unfortunately, partly due to the nature of the topic, the content will be outdated within a year. If you follow the tech......more


Quotes

“Mike Kanaan is an influential new voice in the field of AI, and his thoughts paint an insightful perspective. A thought-provoking read."

—Eric Schmidt, former CEO and executive chairman of Google

"Too many discussions of artificial intelligence are dominated by idealists and cynics. Mike Kanaan is neither: He's a realist with a wealth of insight on how smart machines are shaping the future. This is one of the best books I've read on AI."

—Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Originals and Give and Take, and host of the chart-topping TED podcast WorkLife

“Kanaan’s book makes us aware of the urgent need for international understanding and a formal agreement on AI. Without binding commitments, the future will pose threats, both military and social, that risk our very survival. AI may be a blessing, but it can also be the ultimate curse. The world must agree to draw a red line between the two, and make sure that no one crosses it."

—Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize winner, father of microfinance and social business, recipient of US Presidential Medal of Freedom and US Congressional Gold Medal