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
Superintelligence summary
Nick Bostrom
Paths, Dangers, Strategies
18 mins
Brief summary
Superintelligence by Nick Bostrom is a thought-provoking book that explores the potential outcomes and risks associated with the creation of artificial intelligence and the impact it could have on humanity.
Table of Contents
Superintelligence
Summary of 8 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 8
History shows that superintelligence – a technology more intelligent than any human being – is fast approaching.
What fundamentally sets us apart from the beasts of the field? Well, the main difference between human beings and animals is our capacity for abstract thinking paired with the ability to communicate and accumulate information. In essence, our superior intelligence propelled us to the top.
So what would the emergence of a new species, intellectually superior to humans, mean for the world?
First we’ll need to review a bit of history. For instance, did you know that the pace of major revolutions in technology has been increasing over time? For example, improving at the snail’s pace of a few hundred thousand years ago, human technology would have needed one million years to become economically productive enough to sustain the lives of an additional million people. This number dropped to two centuries during the Agricultural Revolution in 5,000 BC. And in our post-Industrial Revolution era it shrunk to a mere 90 minutes.
A technological advancement like the advent of superintelligent machines would mean radical change for the world as we know it. But where does technology stand at present?
We have already been able to create machines that have the capacity to learn and reason using information that’s been plugged in by humans. Consider, for example, the automated spam filters that keep our inboxes free from annoying mass emails and save important messages.
However, this is far from the kind of “general intelligence” humans possess, and which has been the goal of AI research for decades. And when it comes to building a superintelligent machine that can learn and act without the guiding hand of a human, it may still be decades away. But advancements in the field are happening quickly, so it could be upon us faster than we think. Such a machine would have a lot of power over our lives. Its intelligence could even be dangerous, since it would be too smart for us to disable in the event of an emergency.
Want to see all full key ideas from Superintelligence?
Key ideas in Superintelligence
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 Superintelligence about?
Superintelligence (2014) investigates how creating a machine more intelligent than a human would change humanity. These blinks are full of facts, figures and studies from a variety of disciplines, resulting in a complex picture of the superintelligent future and how we might arrive there.
Superintelligence Review
Superintelligence (2014) explores the potential risks and benefits of artificial general intelligence (AGI) and offers insights into the future of humanity. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With its thought-provoking content, it sparks a deep contemplation about the implications of superintelligence on society and our own existence.
- By discussing realistic scenarios and potential solutions, it presents a balanced perspective on AGI and encourages critical thinking about this pressing topic.
- Its engaging examples and clear explanations ensure that even readers without a technical background can grasp the concepts and stay interested throughout.
Best quote from Superintelligence
The fact that there are many paths that lead to superintelligence should increase our confidence that we will eventually get there.
—Nick Bostrom
Who should read Superintelligence?
- Anyone working in computer science, neuroscience, robotics or mathematics
- Fans of science fiction or theories about the human apocalypse
- People interested in the moral questions surrounding the creation of artificial life forms
Categories with Superintelligence
Book summaries like Superintelligence
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
36 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Superintelligence FAQs
What is the main message of Superintelligence?
The main message of Superintelligence is the potential risks and benefits of artificial general intelligence.
How long does it take to read Superintelligence?
The reading time for Superintelligence varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Superintelligence a good book? Is it worth reading?
Superintelligence is a thought-provoking read. It provides valuable insights into the intersection of AI and human intelligence.
Who is the author of Superintelligence?
The author of Superintelligence is Nick Bostrom.
What to read after Superintelligence?
If you're wondering what to read next after Superintelligence, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Zero to One by Peter Thiel with Blake Masters
- The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith
- The Beginning of Infinity by David Deutsch
- Power Play by Tim Higgins
- The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
- Life 3.0 by Max Tegmark
- Lying by Sam Harris
- The Master Algorithm by Pedro Domingos
- The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels
- Artificial Intelligence & Generative AI for Beginners by David M. Patel