The Fourth Age

So far my research regarding artificial intelligence has been done through the internet. I looked up and found blogs, articles and anything else that would give me knowledge on artificial technology. Recently, I went to the library to conduct my research and I found a book that has really helped me get a better understanding of AI, its history, and its capabilities. The book was published in 2018 and is titled The Fourth Age written by Byron Reese.

The book starts off by talking about the history of technology, things like Galileo Galilei, Sir Francis Bacon, Nicolaus Copernicus, Leonardo De Vinci and other great thinkers in history. It also mentioned the scientific method and how all of these things have played a role in the progression of technology.

After the history of technology, the book talks about “the story of John Henry”. It story says that in the nineteenth century, John Henry had the job of hammering steel spikes into rocks. The holes that the spikes made were then filled with explosives and detonated. This would clear the way for new railroads to be developed. John Henry was the best at his job, until one day the steam drill was invented to do the same job. John Henry once said “Before the steam drill beats me, I will die, hammer in my hand.” He then challenged the steam drill to see which was better. The story says that John Henry actually won against the steam drill! However, the legend goes that after the contest, John Henry collapsed and died of exhaustion on the spot immediately after the contest. I believe the point of this story is that people shouldn't fight the progression of technology. Even though people may be able to do the same work as these developing technologies, we should embrace the benefits rather than fighting the negatives.

The author closes the book by talking about the long term societal benefits from artificial intelligence. One of Byron Reeses predictions are that AI will end Hunger and poverty. He argues that in the early 1800’s it took 80% of the United States population to grow the countries food. Today, that number is cut to just 2% of Americans to provide agriculture for the country. What is the reason for this? Technology. He believes that as technology keeps increasing, there will be more and easier ways to produce food for the masses.

Another one of Reese’s predictions is AI will provide more free, clean energy. he says that technology is “the key to unlocking energy in all its clean green forms.” He also says “its only a matter of time before one of the dozens of potential sources for unlimited nearly free energy gives up its secrets and begins powering the planets.” In other words he is a firm believer that the potential of technology is endless and could really impact the world environmentally.

Lastly, Reese also predicts that artificial intelligence will help end warfare in the world. He acknowledges that this seems like a preposterous prediction, but he makes a couple valid points. His first point is that, due to technology, war is no longer profitable, in part because many of todays valuables are intangible. He also says that the price of destruction is significantly lower, thanks to technology, than it would be to rebuild whatever it is that got destroyed. He also says that peace is promoted a lot more than it used to be. He claims that easier travel, communication and other aspects of increased technology leads to the promotion of peace.

These predictions may seem far fetched at first glance, but then if you take a deeper look at how far we have come because of technology, you will see that these predictions are more reasonable than they originally appear.

Reese, B. (2018). The Fourth Age. New York, NY: Atria Books.

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