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Review of The Fate of AI Society
Post by Tejas Koli » 27 Feb 2024, 04:45
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Fate of AI Society" by Kenneth Hamer-Hodges.]
"The Fate of AI Society" offers a thought-provoking look at the challenges and opportunities facing computer science as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into our digital world. Author Kenneth Hamer-Hodges makes a compelling case that the centralized foundations of today's binary computing systems are fundamentally flawed and pose grave threats to democratic values like privacy, security, and individual freedom.
Hamer-Hodges argues persuasively that von Neumann architecture, with its basis in centralized operating systems and shared memory, inevitably leads to systemic cybercrime, opaque algorithms, unchecked corporate power, and states being able to engage in unchecked digital surveillance of their citizens. Through examples like social media censorship and disputes over election integrity, he illustrates how the lack of transparency and accountability in today's systems undermines democracy.
Where some might see these problems as inevitable, Hamer-Hodges believes there is a better way forward rooted in the principles of Alan Turing and Alonzo Church. He makes a detailed case that distributed, capability-based systems following the theoretical underpinnings of the lambda calculus could remedy many of today's issues by design. Through object-oriented programming, naming capabilities, and immutable digital tokens, citizens could regain more control over their digital lives, and networks could become more transparent and resistant to corruption and crime.
Hamer-Hodges packs an impressive amount of technical and historical detail into this relatively short book, deftly explaining concepts from Turing machines to binary computing that may be unfamiliar to general readers. At times, the prose takes on an impassioned, even utopian tone as the author explicates his vision of a more just and democratic AI future. However, professional software developers and computer scientists may find the technical perspectives and proposed solutions particularly thought-provoking. The editing is well done, and there are no negative points to mention.
While the radical changes proposed may seem unlikely to come to fruition, "The Fate of AI Society" adeptly spotlights real vulnerabilities in today's systems and offers a blueprint worthy of serious discussion. Ultimately, it makes an erudite case that re-envisioning computing through the principles of its earliest founders could help ensure emerging technologies live up to their promise of elevating humanity rather than threatening our freedoms or enabling new forms of control. I would rate it 5 out of 5.
******
The Fate of AI Society
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
"The Fate of AI Society" offers a thought-provoking look at the challenges and opportunities facing computer science as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into our digital world. Author Kenneth Hamer-Hodges makes a compelling case that the centralized foundations of today's binary computing systems are fundamentally flawed and pose grave threats to democratic values like privacy, security, and individual freedom.
Hamer-Hodges argues persuasively that von Neumann architecture, with its basis in centralized operating systems and shared memory, inevitably leads to systemic cybercrime, opaque algorithms, unchecked corporate power, and states being able to engage in unchecked digital surveillance of their citizens. Through examples like social media censorship and disputes over election integrity, he illustrates how the lack of transparency and accountability in today's systems undermines democracy.
Where some might see these problems as inevitable, Hamer-Hodges believes there is a better way forward rooted in the principles of Alan Turing and Alonzo Church. He makes a detailed case that distributed, capability-based systems following the theoretical underpinnings of the lambda calculus could remedy many of today's issues by design. Through object-oriented programming, naming capabilities, and immutable digital tokens, citizens could regain more control over their digital lives, and networks could become more transparent and resistant to corruption and crime.
Hamer-Hodges packs an impressive amount of technical and historical detail into this relatively short book, deftly explaining concepts from Turing machines to binary computing that may be unfamiliar to general readers. At times, the prose takes on an impassioned, even utopian tone as the author explicates his vision of a more just and democratic AI future. However, professional software developers and computer scientists may find the technical perspectives and proposed solutions particularly thought-provoking. The editing is well done, and there are no negative points to mention.
While the radical changes proposed may seem unlikely to come to fruition, "The Fate of AI Society" adeptly spotlights real vulnerabilities in today's systems and offers a blueprint worthy of serious discussion. Ultimately, it makes an erudite case that re-envisioning computing through the principles of its earliest founders could help ensure emerging technologies live up to their promise of elevating humanity rather than threatening our freedoms or enabling new forms of control. I would rate it 5 out of 5.
******
The Fate of AI Society
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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Ken is an Independent Consultant in South Florida for secure cloud-based software and mobile access software. Graduated in the UK, developed the first Capability-Based Computers (PP-250), became a Charted Engineer, and awarded a Fellowship of the IEE (London). Partnered on a dozen patents developing Object Engineering fundamentals while working in UK, USA, Germany, and Belgium. Invitation speaker at conferences on Operating Systems and Communications.
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