Preview
  • Scary Smart

  • The Future of Artificial Intelligence and How You Can Save Our World
  • By: Mo Gawdat
  • Narrated by: Mo Gawdat
  • Length: 11 hrs and 20 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (361 ratings)

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Scary Smart

By: Mo Gawdat
Narrated by: Mo Gawdat
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Publisher's summary

This audiobook is masterfully read by the author, Mo Gawdat.

One of
The Sunday Times' Business Books of the Year

Technology is putting our humanity at risk to an unprecedented degree. This book is not for engineers who write the code or the policy makers who claim they can regulate it. This is a book for you. Because, believe it or not, you are the only one that can fix it.Mo Gawdat

'From a brilliant mind comes a terrifying prediction' – Tim Ash, bestselling author of
Unleash Your Primal Brain

Artificial intelligence is smarter than humans. It can process information at lightning speed and remain focused on specific tasks without distraction. AI can see into the future, predicting outcomes and even use sensors to see around physical and virtual corners. So why does AI frequently get it so wrong?

The answer is us. Humans design the algorithms that define the way that AI works, and the processed information reflects an imperfect world. Does that mean we are doomed? In Scary Smart, Mo Gawdat, the internationally bestselling author of Solve for Happy, draws on his considerable expertise to answer this question and to show what we can all do now to teach ourselves and our machines how to live better. With more than thirty years' experience working at the cutting-edge of technology and his former role as chief business officer of Google [X], no one is better placed than Mo Gawdat to explain how the Artificial Intelligence of the future works.

By 2049 AI will be a billion times more intelligent than humans. Scary Smart explains how to fix the current trajectory now, to make sure that the AI of the future can preserve our species. This audiobook offers a blueprint, pointing the way to what we can do to safeguard ourselves, those we love and the planet itself.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 Mo Gawdat (P)2021 Macmillan Publishers International Ltd
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What listeners say about Scary Smart

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Absolutely stunning.

This is a must read. I was transported by Gawdat's personable speaking style and rivited by the content. There can be no other conclusion to the prospect of AI than this. Beautifully rendered, now sitting in my soul, I'm going to the lake to consider it all.

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a must read for anyone living in 2022

Dear Mo, thank you so much for this! your love, passion, and kindness came through in every word. I love your voice.

This is a book that questions our innate human needs (lust, greed, etc). I was scared dead in the beginning of the book, but at the end, my heart was filled with love, joy and hope. A difficult undertaking!!

this Is a must read. it's not just about AI, it's about your values and how we should love our lives.

AI, we love you. please help us create a better planet. thank you.

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Brilliant Insight

A very compelling and insightful perspective on the wonders, challenges and joys of parenting AI into the future…see you in 2055.

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Good book. I hope we’re all wise enough to take action

Great good, and great narration. I appreciate the perspective and it’s a pessimistic, realistic, yet still hopeful view and attempt to get us to wake up and change our behaviors for better.

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Captivating, Transformative and Enlightening

Loved it from the very beginning to the very end. I give lots of respect and gratitude to Mo Gawdat for what he is doing. I develop products with AI, and I wholeheartedly agree with Mo's call to action.

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Interesting and informative

Gawdat calls audio listeners “lazy”. I didn’t appreciate that. He interjects his political views throughout this book. The book was knowledgeable and interesting to this novice. Without his personal anecdotes this book be half as long.

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Insight from An Insider

Mo Gawdat has all the qualifications to speak about the path AI will take in shaping the future. However, I think he is swaying in the extremes of scenarios for the AI world, either it is amazing or it destroys us. I would have like other alternative thought experiments, other perspectives on a middle ground (AI is bound by Rules of Asimov) or a scenario where some countries forbid AI (like Italy). The solution to avoid catastrophe is the same as to avoid war, crime, etc.( treat others as you would like to be treated, including AI). It is a bit limited in its scope, however it is an eye opening book for those who haven’t given it thought. Humans will have to share the world with silicon based intelligence.

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Insightful and focused

Nothing but positive things to say about this - Mo G. Is a phenomenal thinker who brings humanity a prescription for coexistence and a thriving future with the rest of life on this planet- including silicon based life…

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Love is the supreme ethic

Exceptionally well written and narrated, Mo Gawdat affirms that love is the supreme ethic. Our ability to shape AI for good or for evil is up to us. For my fellow Christians, I recommend that you also read 2084, by John Lennox.

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Thought provoking but very convincing

Thanks Mo for giving such wonderful book. It was way better than I could have imagined and fundamentally changed the way I look at AI. It is a very complex subject and Mo was able to articulate everything so clearly and convincingly. Highly recommended to those who are willing to think about life and humanity.

Since Mo narrated the book himself, it makes the whole experience so much more real and passionate.

Last but not least, I am sorry for the loss of your son Ali. You dedication to happiness and love will make him proud.

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