A guide to AI’s thorniest implications that asks: How shall we navigate our brave new world?

We are at a monumental turning point in human history. AI is taking intelligence in new directions.

The strongest human competitors in chess, go, and Jeopardy! have been beaten by AIs, and AI is getting more sophisticated by the day. Further, AI research is going inside the human brain itself, attempting to augment human minds. It may even create greater-than-human-level intelligence, leading to a new generation of artificial minds―Minds 2.0. Susan Schneider, a philosopher, argues that these undertakings must not be attempted without a richer understanding of the nature of the mind. An insufficient grasp of the underlying philosophical issues could undermine the use of AI and brain enhancement technology, bringing about the demise or suffering of conscious beings. Examining the philosophical questions lying beneath the algorithms, Schneider takes on AI’s thorniest implications.

Contents

Chapter One: The Age of Al

Chapter Two: The Problem of Al Consciousness

Chapter Three: Consciousness Engineering

Chapter Four: How to Catch an Al Zombie: Testing for Consciousness in Machines

Chapter Five: Could You Merge with Al?

Chapter Six: Getting a Mindscan

Chapter Seven: A Universe of Singularities

Chapter Eight: Is Your Mind a Software Program?

Review

"One of Forbes' Must-Read Brain Books of 2019"

"Finalist for the PROSE Award in Philosophy, Association of American Publishers"

"Packed with material that enlightens new ways of thinking about a hot topic. . . . A philosophical tour with real-world implications."―Forbes

"Schneider is a sure-footed and witty guide to slippery ethical terrain."―Washington Post

"[A] demanding dialogue between philosophy and science."―Nature

"A well-reasoned and thoughtful discussion about the need for AI researchers and policymakers to place more emphasis on the question of consciousness."―Times Higher Education

"This riveting book is both entertaining and profound."―Martin Rees, author of On the Future

"Is artificial consciousness possible? Could you become an AI? Would you still be you? Schneider makes a vivid and compelling case that the future of humanity may depend on the answers to these philosophical questions."―David J. Chalmers, author of The Conscious Mind

About the Author

Susan Schneider is the NASA/Baruch Blumberg Chair of Astrobiology and Technological Innovation at the Library of Congress and NASA, and the Dietrich Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and Neuroscience at Florida Atlantic University. Twitter @DrSueSchneider