Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Human/Machine summary
Daniel Newman
Olivier Blanchard
The Future of Our Partnership With Machines
22 mins
Brief summary
Human/Machine by Daniel Newman and Olivier Blanchard examines the impact of emerging technologies such as AI, IoT and blockchain on modern business strategies. The book provides insights on how to leverage them for competitive advantage.
Topics
Table of Contents
Human/Machine
Summary of 8 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 8
Machines will continue to boost our efficiency and enable us to fulfill ourselves as human beings.
Throughout history, working with tools has almost always improved our lives.
Think back to the cave dwellers. The firestones that enabled them to light and warm up their humble abodes at night radically changed their daily lives for the better. Fireplaces became social gathering places and brought people together. Other tools, like spears and shovels, allowed our prehistoric ancestors to hunt and farm.
Ever since those early days of our species, we’ve continued to invent tools that make our lives better. Often they work by making us more efficient at accomplishing our goals. That’s especially been true of our machines. For example, trains enabled us to commute comfortably between home and work, and telephones allowed us to connect with colleagues across the globe.
The ability of our tools and machines to make us more efficient continues to the present. It’s especially true since the advent of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence. Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, for example, partnered with University College London and Google’s Deep Mind to develop AI to diagnose eye diseases. Instead of tedious scans, doctors can now rely on a perfectly trained assistant – an algorithm. That’s just one application of technology in medicine; thousands more are probably being developed at this moment.
Technology has a track record of making us better at what we do. That’s the first reason to be optimistic about the ways in which it will impact the future. The second one is that tools have often made lives more worthwhile by enabling us to express ourselves as human beings. By nature, we’re a creative species that thrives on new inventions and our ability to express feelings. We’re a species with a to-do list coded into our DNA – we’re constantly solving problems and thinking of more efficient ways to do so. Tools are our natural partners. Whether it’s a paintbrush or a computer, tools help us to invent new things and express ourselves.
As long as we stay human, there’s little reason to believe that we’ll stop coming up with new ideas. And for the foreseeable future, machines will help us to turn them into reality.
Want to see all full key ideas from Human/Machine?
Key ideas in Human/Machine
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Human/Machine about?
Human/Machine (2019) argues that machines will continue to empower us, instead of stealing our jobs. At the workplace and at home, automation will free up time that we can use to do the things that fulfill us as human beings. However, tech giants will need to ensure that their technology benefits society – otherwise, the delicate balance between humans and machines might tip.
Human/Machine Review
Human/Machine (2020) explores the impact of artificial intelligence on the future of business and society and why it's essential reading for everyone interested in technology. Here's why this book is worth your time:
- Offers insightful analysis on the development and implications of AI, empowering readers to understand its potential and challenges.
- Provides practical examples of how AI is revolutionizing industries, giving readers a tangible understanding of its real-world applications.
- Keeps readers engaged with its thought-provoking perspectives, making complex concepts accessible and ensuring that the book is anything but boring.
Best quote from Human/Machine
Automation doesnt have to be a job Armageddon. In fact, it shouldnt be.
—Daniel Newman and Olivier Blanchard
Who should read Human/Machine?
- Employees who fear that a robot might take their jobs
- Managers steering big and small companies through innovation processes
- Parents who wonder whether AI will soon teach their children
Categories with Human/Machine
Book summaries like Human/Machine
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
37 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Human/Machine FAQs
What is the main message of Human/Machine?
The main message of Human/Machine is the importance of embracing the collaboration between humans and technology in order to thrive in the digital era.
How long does it take to read Human/Machine?
The estimated reading time for Human/Machine is a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Human/Machine a good book? Is it worth reading?
Human/Machine is definitely worth reading. It provides valuable insights about the future of work and how embracing technology can lead to success.
Who is the author of Human/Machine?
The authors of Human/Machine are Daniel Newman and Olivier Blanchard.
What to read after Human/Machine?
If you're wondering what to read next after Human/Machine, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Genius Makers by Cade Metz
- The Master Algorithm by Pedro Domingos
- How to Speak Machine by John Maeda
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- AI Superpowers by Kai-Fu Lee
- Leadership by Algorithm by David De Cremer
- A Geography of Time by Robert N. Levine
- Algorithms to Live By by Brian Christian & Tom Griffiths
- Source Code by Bill Gates
- Makers by Chris Anderson