AI is on everyone’s lips. For this reason, we recommend reading books on Artificial Intelligence this summer. There is talk of autonomous cars and whether they should drive alone through our cities. The restructuring of millions of jobs is planned because robots will be able to replace us. It questions whether machines can be creative and produce art or music.

Many of us are not aware that we have already entered a new era. The main telecommunications or parcel companies are already betting on AI. We have robots that disinfect warehouses and drones that are waiting to be able to deliver their first shipments. In addition, we can now ask our virtual assistant, such as Aura from Telefónica, to turn off the television or turn on the lights.  

There are those who see the rise of Artificial Intelligence as a curiosity, others are excited by the technological advances that it can bring us. But there are also people who are afraid of what is coming to us. To comment on a subject, it is always advisable to be informed. Therefore, do not miss these 5 books on Artificial Intelligence.

Artificial Intelligence: What everyone should know – Jerry Kaplan

In this book of the year 2016 Jerry Kaplan, the famous expert in AI, doctor of philosophy and entrepreneur in Silicon Valley, presents us with an exhaustive answer to all our doubts. To do this, he summarizes the basic notions so that any reader can understand it, instead of complicating the reading with convoluted technological knowledge.

Kaplan offers us a didactic review of the history of AI and allays our fears, since his vision is still optimistic. In this book he summarizes the impact that Artificial Intelligence will have over the next few years on our way of life. Above all, it will influence our way of working, playing, educating our children or looking for a partner. With the structure of questions and answers, this book offers us amazing clarity and provides a lot of information. If you are new and would like to discover something on the subject, this is your book! In addition, it is one of the books on Artificial Intelligence that you should not miss. 

The Singularity is near. When humans transcend biology – Raymond Kurzweil 

In this 2005 book, Raymond Kurzweil, inventor, musician, AI scientist, and futurist, introduces the concept of technological singularity. This term refers to the moment when advances in Artificial Intelligence result in machines possessing more intelligence than humans. Kurzweil foresees it for the year 2045, while other experts consider different dates, but none disagrees that it will happen. 

When the singularity arrives, the human being will have to face challenges never before raised. There will be an incredible increase in non-biological intelligence, the human being will be released from its biological chains, and there will be unprecedented scientific progress. In this book the author presents the philosophical, social and scientific implications that the singularity will bring with it. It is definitely one of the books on Artificial Intelligence that you should not miss this summer. If you are a fan of futuristic visions and you love philosophical and abstract concepts, this is your book! 

The fourth industrial revolution – Klaus Schwab 

In this 2016 book, Klaus Schwab, economist and founder of the World Economic Forum, describes the most important features of the new technological revolution. He presents us with a wide catalog of opportunities and dilemmas that this will bring with it. For him, the most important thing is that the new forms of collaboration and governance, accompanied by an optimistic and shared narrative, enable us to shape the fourth revolution for the benefit of all.  

The author presents two scenarios. One in which human beings become robotized and lose our sense of family, friendship and identity. The other and more hopeful, in which technology can elevate the human being to a collective consciousness of collaboration in which he takes advantage of new opportunities. If you want to understand Artificial Intelligence from a power perspective, and understand what governments must assume about it, this is your book! 

Super Intelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies – Nick Bostrom 

In this 2014 book, Nick Bostrom, philosopher and co-founder of the World Transhumanist Association, warns of the dangers of Artificial Intelligence. The author, also known as “the philosopher of the end of the world” talks about the possibility that computers will one day surpass us in intelligence.  

For him, the essential in this book is the brain. Nick Bostrom explains the differences between the human brain and that of other species, and why the human being occupies a dominant place in the world. However, he raises an essential question. What would happen if the capacity of a machine exceeds that of a person’s brain? His fear is that machines will surpass humans in intellect. Bostrom starts from the fact that the consequences could be fatal. For this reason, he thinks that we must prepare the technological conditions to prevent a catastrophe. Superintelligence according to the author is “an intellectual who is much smarter than the best human brains in practically any field, including scientific creativity, general wisdom and social skills.” He certainly is one of the books on Artificial Intelligence that you should not miss. 

Bostrom signed, together with other scientists such as Hawking and computer experts, an open letter to thoroughly investigate the possible risks that AI could bring with it, especially if machines do not share human values. If you are one of the most fatalists, this is your book! 

In this 2018 book, Lasse Rouhiainen, an expert in Social Media and Digital Marketing, explains the role that Artificial Intelligence is assuming. He tells us how companies like Google, Facebook and Amazon have already completely changed the way they work because of it. The author presents how AI helps us make almost everything cheaper, faster and more effective. Therefore, sectors such as driving, travel, health, education, commerce, agriculture and sales will be profoundly revolutionized.  

Starting with 101 questions, it provides us with clear and concise information about how AI is going to change our lives. In addition, it provides us with ideas and advice to understand the changes that will come. Rouhiainen explains the impact of Artificial Intelligence in our day to day in an understandable way for any reader. Although the author claims that many jobs today will be replaced, he offers us an optimistic view. There will be a large number of new jobs, which we did not even consider before! If you want a proactive version, and know how to take advantage of AI in different sectors, this is your book!