The Coming Wave

Technology, Power, and the Twenty-First Century's Greatest Dilemma

By: Mustafa Suleyman, Michael Bhaskar - contributor

Narrated by: Mustafa Suleyman

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • An urgent warning of the unprecedented risks that AI and other fast-developing technologies pose to global order, and how we might contain them while we have the chance—from a co-founder of the pioneering artificial intelligence company DeepMind and current CEO of Microsoft AI

“A fascinating, well-written, and important book.”—Yuval Noah Harari
“Essential reading.”—Daniel Kahneman
“An excellent guide for navigating unprecedented times.”—Bill Gates

A Best Book of the Year: CNN, Economist, Bloomberg, Politico Playbook, Financial Times, The Guardian, CEO Magazine, Semafor • Winner of the Inc. Non-Obvious Book Award • Finalist for the Porchlight Business Book Award and the Financial Times and Schroders Business Book of the Year Award

We are approaching a critical threshold in the history of our species. Everything is about to change.

Soon you will live surrounded by AIs. They will organize your life, operate your business, and run core government services. You will live in a world of DNA printers and quantum computers, engineered pathogens and autonomous weapons, robot assistants and abundant energy.

None of us are prepared.

As co-founder of the pioneering AI company DeepMind, part of Google, Mustafa Suleyman has been at the center of this revolution. The coming decade, he argues, will be defined by this wave of powerful, fast-proliferating new technologies.

In The Coming Wave, Suleyman shows how these forces will create immense prosperity but also threaten the nation-state, the foundation of global order. As our fragile governments sleepwalk into disaster, we face an existential dilemma: unprecedented harms on one side, the threat of overbearing surveillance on the other.

How do we ensure the flourishing of humankind? How do we maintain control? How do we navigate the narrow path to a successful future?

This groundbreaking book from the ultimate AI insider establishes “the containment problem”—the task of maintaining control over powerful technologies—as the essential challenge of our age.

©2023 Mustafa Suleyman (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“A heartfelt and candid exploration of what the future may hold for us . . . Eloquently articulated. Reading [The Coming Wave], what came to mind was Gramsci’s famous adage that what we need is ‘pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will.’ To his great credit, [Mustafa] Suleyman has both.”—The Guardian

“[A] sweeping look at the future of artificial intelligence and other transformative technologies. . . . Suleyman is intimately familiar with the technologies, companies and personalities at the heart of the A.I. revolution.”—The New York Times

“Dazzling . . . You have by now read a great deal of both hype and doom-mongering on the subject [of AI]. But Suleyman’s is the book you cannot afford not to read. . . . Brilliant.”—Niall Ferguson, Bloomberg

Great story of "Why AI Matters"

Loved the detailed and story line building approach and how AI is a natural evolution of human life and the efforts we need to take and do in efforts to contain and control rather than over excite or over attack it. I gotta say that at some point the details were a bit too much but overall I enjoyed the book and would easily recommend it.

Timely topic clearly laid out

The Coming Wave does a great job laying out the pattern of technological waves and the future of AI. It’s a must listen for anyone who wants to be ready for the AI age

Must read for everyone, not only AI enthusiasts or critics

Suleyman knows what he is talking about and has live through the subjects covered in this book. It starts out with all the capabilities of cutting edge technology both on AI and synthetic biology. The middle part puts forward some scenarios that we must try and avoid. I felt a little helpless ¾ in the book. The book ends with ways we can and absolutely should put rules and measures in place in order to avoid the disasters depicted in the middle part. It ends with with a positive note. And a set of assignments for all of us. Highly recommended.

Impact of technology within the Anthropocene

Great nontechnical tour of technology and its impact toward homo sapients and the current ongoing Anthropocene. AI and synthetic biology will be major drivers of these changes. They need to be contained and directed toward humanity’s benefits to avoid uncontrolled and unexpected disasters. This book is highly recommended for everyone.

Suleyman convincingly tells the story of epochal technological waves of Schumpeter’s “Creative Destruction”.

The story takes one back to the future of the disruptive forces being unleashed by modern technologies like AI and Synthetic Biology

Complicated subject presented in an understandable way

This author is an excellent teacher who organized his material in a logical, thorough, and entertaining way. This is an important book.

Thought provoking discussion about AI from an insider’s perspective.

The information and topics covered were well thought out and seemingly accurate.
The narrator was ok but not as good as the information covered.
Definitely recommend to anyone interested in current state of AI and its potential impact on society.

Incredibly insightful view into rapidly advancing tech, politics, and society

Mustafa creates a level of clarity and common to treatises on this topic. Rather than sensationalized or discounting, he provides a balanced view in light of the incredible capabilities looming in the near future. Should be required reading for technologists, business leaders, and politicians alike.

Strange how the future can be so bright yet be so daunting.

Very educational. Certainly an interesting perspective from someone who knows the space quite well.  Enjoyable all the way around.

Great AI info from one of the founders

I loved the info. So fascinating. He may have a gone a little bit too long on the dangers. Oh well. They are certainly dangers