Overview

A timely and important book that explores the societal and ethical implications of artificial intelligence as we approach the cusp of a fourth industrial revolution George Zarkadakis explores one of humankind's oldest love-hate relationships: our ties with artificial intelligence, or AI. He traces AI's origins in ancient myth, through literary classics like Frankenstein to today's science fiction blockbusters, arguing that a fascination with AI is hardwired into the human psyche. He explains AI's history, technology, and potential; its manifestations in intelligent machines; its connections to neurology and consciousness, as well as-perhaps most tellingly-what AI reveals about us as human beings. In Our Own Image argues that we are on the brink of a fourth industrial revolution-poised to enter the age of artificial intelligence as science fiction becomes science fact. Ultimately, Zarkadakis observes, the fate of AI has profound implications for the future of science and humanity itself.

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9781504686464

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Reviews

"A fantastic journey into the cultural origins of artificial intelligence, in philosophy, neuroscience, and the history of computing. -- ""Le Temps (Geneva)"" A mindful and historical look at the hope, hype, and reality of artificial consciousness. -- ""Stuart Hameroff, coauthor of Consciousness and the Universe"" Advances in computers have made artificial intelligence a new hot topic for most observers-but not science writer and futurist Zarkadakis, who maintains that it is an ancient human obsession...A delightfully lucid combination of the history, philosophy, and science behind thinking machines. -- ""Kirkus Reviews (starred review)"" George Zarkadakis knows AI. Unlike a lot of the people writing and thinking about it, he has real cultural breadth, too. -- ""Aeon"" Zarkadakis interweaves sci-fi visions with explorations of the philosophy, technology, and deep history of artificial superintelligence. -- ""Financial Times (London)"" Zarkadakis is an exciting and original thinker in the field of artificial intelligence and has written a book that is timely and important. -- ""Jim Al-Khalili, PhD, OBE, author of Paradox"" Zarkadakis passionately, yet carefully, leads readers chronologically through the development of key concepts in the understanding of mind and intelligence...By the conclusion of this highly accessible work, Zarkadakis convincingly posits a future in which 'post-humanism will have morphed into trans-humanism, ' showing how a romance with AI will present humans with a daunting dilemma. -- ""Publishers Weekly (starred review)"""

A mindful and historical look at the hope, hype, and reality of artificial consciousness. -- Stuart Hameroff, coauthor of Consciousness and the Universe Zarkadakis is an exciting and original thinker in the field of artificial intelligence and has written a book that is timely and important. -- Jim Al-Khalili, PhD, OBE, author of Paradox Advances in computers have made artificial intelligence a new hot topic for most observers-but not science writer and futurist Zarkadakis, who maintains that it is an ancient human obsession...A delightfully lucid combination of the history, philosophy, and science behind thinking machines. -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Zarkadakis passionately, yet carefully, leads readers chronologically through the development of key concepts in the understanding of mind and intelligence...By the conclusion of this highly accessible work, Zarkadakis convincingly posits a future in which 'post-humanism will have morphed into trans-humanism, ' showing how a romance with AI will present humans with a daunting dilemma. -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) George Zarkadakis knows AI. Unlike a lot of the people writing and thinking about it, he has real cultural breadth, too. -- Aeon A fantastic journey into the cultural origins of artificial intelligence, in philosophy, neuroscience, and the history of computing. -- Le Temps (Geneva) Zarkadakis interweaves sci-fi visions with explorations of the philosophy, technology, and deep history of artificial superintelligence. -- Financial Times (London)

Author Information

George Zarkadakis has a PhD in artificial intelligence. Awarded a knighthood by the French government for his international work in science communication, he writes for several international publications, including the London Daily Telegraph, the Huffington Post, and Aeon magazine. Gildart Jackson's acting credits span the stage and screen. He is most often recognized for his roles as Gideon on Charmed and Simon Prentiss on General Hospital. He has also starred in numerous television shows, including CSI and Vegas, and he played the lead in the highly acclaimed independent feature film You, directed by his wife, Melora Hardin.

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