The Coming Wave
- Author: Mustafa Suleyman
- Book Review By Jessica Buerger
The Bottom Line
“The Coming Wave” by Mustafa Suleyman, co-founder of DeepMind and Inflection AI, offers a cautionary take on the current and future risks tied to this technological wave of AI and synthetic biology. Through well-researched historical accounts of previous technology revolutions, Suleyman presents a compelling case for why the next wave will be even more disruptive. The book will appeal to readers looking for fresh perspectives on future societal challenges—both in the public and private sectors—and to cybersecurity professionals hoping to better understand the threats ahead.
That said, the book falls short for those already working in cybersecurity. While it effectively highlights how technologies created with good intentions are often used maliciously, the recommendations Suleyman offers are more theoretical than practical. They seem more “feel-good” than actionable.
This book is for skeptics and for anyone who still believes this wave is off in the distance. It’s worth recommending to leaders who haven’t yet invested in AI governance or staff training. While it offers limited practical value for practitioners, it can serve as a wake-up call for those not yet paying attention.
I don’t recommend this book for the Cybersecurity Canon Hall of Fame. It doesn’t contain errors or inaccuracies. It simply doesn’t add many novel solutions or thoughts. Not a must read for cybersecurity professionals
Review
“The Coming Wave” by Mustafa Suleyman, co-founder of DeepMind (acquired by Google) and Inflection AI, provides a clear warning of what’s to happen if we don’t take this current technological wave—AI and synthetic biology—seriously. Spoiler: Suleyman believes containment is possible, albeit difficult.
Suleyman draws on well-researched historical accounts of past technological waves to help readers visualize the potential ramifications of this one. He makes a strong case for why this wave is particularly hard to contain: its speed, asymmetric impact, general-purpose applications, and signs of autonomy. He has the right background to author this book, given his extensive experience at the forefront of AI.
The purpose of “The Coming Wave” is to serve as a wake-up call for anyone who believes one of the following: 1) there is no coming wave; 2) this wave is no different from past waves; or 3) the wave is impossible to contain. And honestly, who doesn’t check at least one of those boxes?
I picked up this book because I fall into the third category, and I was pleasantly surprised to find an extremely well-researched narrative, rich with historical references, analogies, stories and insights. Suleyman’s work challenged my thinking: In fact, in his expert opinion, the coming wave can be tamed. On the flip side, it confirmed my thinking that no one—creators included—has all the answers.
However, there was an imbalance in his book: Far more weight was given to describing the problem than to outlining the solution. And when solutions were proposed, they were more conceptual than practical—many times missing clear, actionable frameworks. The book felt overly simplified exactly when it should have made a deep dive into the details (when recommendations were introduced). Considering the vast experience Suleyman brings, I found it disappointing that he didn’t make full use of his background or his ability to concisely frame compelling arguments around technical (and non-technical) solutions. Additionally, a bit of self-promotion didn’t undermine credibility, but at times felt unnecessary and distracting when making a point.
That said, Suleyman makes a compelling argument that this coming wave is imminent and here to stay. For anyone doubting its arrival, its impact or its potential dangers, this book should squash any skepticism. His line of thinking is so clear it’s nearly impossible not to agree and begin to figuratively roll up one’s sleeves to get ready to get to work.
For those unaware of the risks—especially senior leadership—this could be a great book to help kick-start company-wide initiatives around governance, training or knowledge sharing. It could also serve the public sector by informing individuals who want to develop a strong, defensible understanding that this wave is real and irreversible.
It may be particularly helpful for those not dedicating time to understanding these new technologies, whether they be cybersecurity professionals or others. Perhaps most useful for leadership lacking a dedicated focus on AI governance or the resources to train their teams—cybersecurity professionals included.
As a final note (or rather, a warning): This book is not recommended for cybersecurity professionals seeking to reduce worries for the reason mentioned above: The focus is mostly on painting a picture of the problems we will be facing, rather than the solutions. A stress reducer, it is not.
Book Review By Susan Hansche
The Bottom Line
Mustafa Suleyman’s “The Coming Wave: Technology, Power, and the Twenty-first Century’s Greatest Dilemma” provides a unique perspective on the rapid growth and convergence of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing and biotechnology. It emphasizes the need for regulations and global cooperation to manage these technologies for the greater good. Suleyman, with his extensive background in AI, offers a credible and insightful analysis of how these technologies are transforming our world and the philosophical questions they raise about their impact on society.
The book explores the historical growth of technology, the speed of its current advancements, and the significant disruptions these innovations bring. Suleyman emphasizes the need for regulations and controls to ensure these technologies are used for the greater good. He argues that global cooperation is essential to manage the power and autonomy of AI and other emerging technologies.
Suleyman’s experience with DeepMind’s AlphaGo project provides a fascinating case study of AI’s potential to change cultures and industries. He also discusses the innovative revolution brought by the convergence of AI, quantum computing and biotechnologies, highlighting the challenges societies will face in managing these rapid changes.
In the final chapters, Suleyman offers 10 suggestions for governing these innovations, focusing on safety measures, international cooperation and regulatory frameworks. His goal is to harness the benefits of these technologies while mitigating their risks. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the societal implications of the next wave of technology innovations.
I don’t recommend this nonfiction book for the Cybersecurity Canon Hall of Fame, but if you are interested in the topic, this is a good one to read.
Review
Whether you are familiar with Artificial Intelligence (AI) or not, “The Coming Wave: Technology, Power, and the Twenty-first Century’s Greatest Dilemma (2023 Crown Publishing) by Mustafa Suleyman offers a unique perspective on the growth of AI, the key players, and the transformative impact AI will have on our societies. Suleyman explores the rapid advancements in AI, quantum computing and biotechnology. As the executive vice president of Microsoft’s consumer AI unit and co-founder of the AI work at DeepMind and Inflection AI, Suleyman brings a wealth of experience and credibility to his analysis. This book explores the transformative potential of these technologies and the profound philosophical questions they raise regarding their impact on society. Suleyman’s unique perspective is based on his belief that while these innovations hold immense promise, they also pose significant challenges that require thoughtful regulation and global cooperation. Through a blend of historical context, case studies and forward-looking insights, Suleyman provides a thought-provoking examination of the future of technology and its implications for our world.
While AI is a primary focus, Suleyman discusses the convergence of AI, quantum computing, and several emerging biotechnologies, including gene editing and DNA synthesis. Central to his argument is the need to implement regulations and controls to ensure these technologies are used for the greater good in society.
The initial chapters cover the historical growth of technology and the rapid pace of current advancements. Suleyman’s insights into how AI technology changed a culture and a country through the DeepMind AlphaGo project are particularly compelling. He was instrumental in building DeepMind’s AlphaGo, the AI system that combined new AI technologies to defeat the champion Go Grandmasters. (Go is a sophisticated, complex, strategic game primarily played in South Korea and China.) This experience gave Suleyman a unique perspective on the politics of AI and how AI systems can transform not just games, but people, cultures and industries.
In the following chapters, Suleyman focuses on the innovative revolution that AI and biotechnologies are bringing to society and how the convergence of technologies will reshape our world. He states that while innovations are being released more quickly and are efficient at solving real-world problems, making them easily adoptable, they are also significant disruptors. This “coming wave” of technological changes will be a challenge for societies to manage and contain.
In the final chapters, Suleyman delves into the disruptive potential of emerging technologies. He highlights the challenges societies will encounter in managing rapid technological changes. Suleyman identifies the key characteristics of this new wave: the empowerment of individuals, the rapid evolution of technology, its widespread acceptance, and the increasing autonomy of AI systems (including their ability to make decisions independently). He also considers the impact of corporate competition and profits as well as the question of which nation-states will control these technologies. Suleyman points out that the concept of containing or limiting technologies has historically been unsuccessful.
Suleyman views containment as a paradox of technology. He argues that countries should collaborate to establish controls and regulations; instead they often compete for technological dominance and control. Suleyman insists a concerted effort is necessary and cites nuclear containment as a historical example of successful global cooperation. The book emphasizes the need for global cooperation and regulation to manage the power and autonomy of emerging technologies.
Suleyman presents 10 recommendations for managing these technological innovations, beginning with a unified, global strategy that includes collaboration among technology companies, governments and society. He emphasizes the importance of safety measures, such as implementing internal shutoffs for AI systems and conducting regular audits. Additionally, he advocates for international cooperation through treaties and regulatory frameworks. His ultimate aim is to mitigate the risks associated with these technologies while maximizing their benefits.
In conclusion, “The Coming Wave” is a thought-provoking exploration of the rapid advancements in AI, quantum computing and biotechnology. Suleyman’s call for global cooperation and thoughtful regulation is both timely and essential as we navigate the complexities of this new technological era. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the societal implications of the next wave of technological innovations and how we can harness their benefits while mitigating their risks.
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