In the fourth age the author, Byron Reese asks questions like “Are you a machine?” and “Could a computer feel anything?”. The book offers fascinating insight into AI, robotics, and their extraordinary implications for our species. The book makes the case that technology has reshaped humanity just three times in history.

100,000 years ago, we exploited fire and language. And 10,000 years ago, we started agriculture, cities and warfare. Just 5,000 years ago, we invented the wheel and writing, which lead to our nation state. However the fact remain that we haven’t yet reached the point to explain human consciousness in the acceptable scientific terms

The discussion leads you through robotics and AI, and, provides a framework by which we can all understand, discuss how they’ll transform humanity. It is filled with viewpoints, beliefs, and arguments from thought leaders, experts, professors, scientists, and business titans. It creates a strange mix of emotions within you. Sometimes it looks like positive, full of hope for the future and on the same time it looks scary and fearful.

So now we are on the door of a fourth generation. And as we approach the next turning point in our history when technology is poised to redefine what exactly it means to be human. The new tools we are holding are AI and robotics.

The book provides you extraordinary background information on how we got to this point, and how, rather than what—we should think about the topics like automation, employment, creative computers, machine consciousness, life extension, artificial life, the future of warfare, super-intelligence, AI ethics, and the implications of extreme prosperity.

This book is the best AI Book to Read in 2018. I found it great as it is a very interesting, inspiring and insightful read. It provides you the gift of a truly balanced read when you need it most of all. You can grab your copy here!