The Coming Wave: 8 key ideas
The core ideas of The Coming Wave, each in under a minute, written in our own words. Want the full depth? Get the book.
- IDEA 1 OF 8
A wave of technology is coming
Suleyman, a co-founder of DeepMind, argues that artificial intelligence and synthetic biology together form a wave of technology that will transform society.
He believes it will bring enormous benefits but also serious dangers.
- IDEA 2 OF 8
Containment is the central problem
Suleyman argues that the biggest challenge is containment, keeping powerful technologies under meaningful human control.
History suggests this is extremely hard. If a technology cannot be contained, its good and bad effects both reach everyone.
- IDEA 3 OF 8
Technologies always spread
Suleyman points out that once technologies are invented, they tend to become cheaper and spread widely.
Few have ever been successfully held back. Cheaper tools in more hands can bring both great benefits and great risks.
- IDEA 4 OF 8
People avoid uncomfortable truths
Suleyman describes pessimism aversion, the tendency of experts and leaders to dismiss frightening possibilities.
He argues this makes societies unprepared. Looking away from a worry does not make it disappear, and it leaves little time to prepare.
- IDEA 5 OF 8
Small groups gain great power
Suleyman warns that the new technologies could give individuals or small groups the power to cause huge harm.
This asymmetry is new. In the past, only large armies or governments had enough power to do such damage.
- IDEA 6 OF 8
States may be weakened
Suleyman argues that these technologies could strain nation states, which may struggle to keep order.
Some might become authoritarian in response. If trust in public institutions falls, power could shift to a few strong hands.
- IDEA 7 OF 8
A narrow path lies ahead
Suleyman describes a narrow path between catastrophe from uncontrolled technology and dystopia from excessive control.
Finding it will be difficult. One side leads to losing control, and the other leads to a society that watches everyone.
- IDEA 8 OF 8
Steps can help
Suleyman proposes measures such as safety research, audits, international agreements and public pressure.
Together, he argues, they could make containment possible. No single measure is enough, so he argues that many must be used at once.
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