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God AI: Boom or Doom? What to Expect When Machines Outsmart Us
Is it game over for humanity? The essential guide to our most dangerous invention.
Our fears about artificial general intelligence go deep. They touch on our very identity as thinking, feeling creatures, and on our place in the universe. Are we creating our own successor? And might this creation be a god?
In this vital contribution, leading researcher and author Professor Toby Walsh explores the existential risks posed by our accelerating efforts to realise an AI-powered future. While AI models are leading to the development of wondrous technologies such as potentially life-saving drugs, they are also disrupting the lives of millions across the globe by rapidly reshaping our relationships with work and with one another. But there are also clear risks that powerful AI threatens our very existence as a species.
In an increasingly fractured world, what happens when AI hits the singularity and gains the ability to recursively self-improve? Could we so fully outsource our own thinking to AI that we make ourselves obsolete? Could machines become so intelligent that it is game over for humanity?
With his typical lucidity and humour, Walsh explores the issues, evaluates the dangers and considers what we can do to prevent AI harms before it is too late.
Our fears about artificial general intelligence go deep. They touch on our very identity as thinking, feeling creatures, and on our place in the universe. Are we creating our own successor? And might this creation be a god?
In this vital contribution, leading researcher and author Professor Toby Walsh explores the existential risks posed by our accelerating efforts to realise an AI-powered future. While AI models are leading to the development of wondrous technologies such as potentially life-saving drugs, they are also disrupting the lives of millions across the globe by rapidly reshaping our relationships with work and with one another. But there are also clear risks that powerful AI threatens our very existence as a species.
In an increasingly fractured world, what happens when AI hits the singularity and gains the ability to recursively self-improve? Could we so fully outsource our own thinking to AI that we make ourselves obsolete? Could machines become so intelligent that it is game over for humanity?
With his typical lucidity and humour, Walsh explores the issues, evaluates the dangers and considers what we can do to prevent AI harms before it is too late.
- GenresNonfiction
239 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2026
About the author
Toby Walsh
33 books37 followersToby Walsh is one of the world’s leading researchers in Artificial Intelligence. He is a Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the University of New South Wales and leads a research group at Data61, Australia’s Centre of Excellence for ICT Research. He has been elected a fellow of the Association for the Advancement of AI for his contributions to AI research, and has won the prestigious Humboldt research award. He has previously held research positions in England, Scotland, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland and Sweden.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Review of advance copy
This is a timely book.
The author explains that there is a lot to like about specialist AI in medical research and diagnostics and other applications in workplaces. These AI models are focussed and well trained. They will solve problems in mining and agriculture, optimise renewable energy production and increase productivity. To the extent the spending is on that sort of thing one can be very optimistic.
Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), on the other hand, the all-knowing all- purpose Hal-like AI that tech bros fantasise about, is a more dubious proposition . First, on may reading of the book, it may never happen (the rate of progress is diminishing). Secondly, if it does, it may be like a know-all generalist who is wrong half the time. Or it may do us harm, either accidentally or on purpose. A lot seems to be uncertain.
The book also talks about the more tangible or immediate risks. These seem to include: (a) financial fall out if the expenditure and very high share prices of some AI-related companies proves to be a bubble and it pops and affects the economy; (b) job losses (with corresponding gains in other areas?… again, non one really knows); (c) humans losing some of their brain power through failing to exercise it (the education system will need to mitigate this… what a concept, the education system training minds!) and (d) rogue AI doing annoying and worrying things like hacking government websites.
The author appears to be broadly in favour of AI but is worried about these issues, as well as being concerned about the ethical implications of military use of AI (but even that is complicated - we can renounce nuclear weapon perhaps but can we renounce military AI when less scrupulous countries have it?).
Hopefully AGI will turn out to be a fizzer but specialist AI works brilliantly, the shares will keep going up, investment continues and AI makes us prosperous in a time when productivity growth has otherwise stalled! And we keep our jobs or get more interesting ones.
BTW for some reason the header on this review says it is a review of an advance copy and that it hasn’t been published but I bought it in an ordinary book shop in Australia in late September 2026.
The author explains that there is a lot to like about specialist AI in medical research and diagnostics and other applications in workplaces. These AI models are focussed and well trained. They will solve problems in mining and agriculture, optimise renewable energy production and increase productivity. To the extent the spending is on that sort of thing one can be very optimistic.
Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), on the other hand, the all-knowing all- purpose Hal-like AI that tech bros fantasise about, is a more dubious proposition . First, on may reading of the book, it may never happen (the rate of progress is diminishing). Secondly, if it does, it may be like a know-all generalist who is wrong half the time. Or it may do us harm, either accidentally or on purpose. A lot seems to be uncertain.
The book also talks about the more tangible or immediate risks. These seem to include: (a) financial fall out if the expenditure and very high share prices of some AI-related companies proves to be a bubble and it pops and affects the economy; (b) job losses (with corresponding gains in other areas?… again, non one really knows); (c) humans losing some of their brain power through failing to exercise it (the education system will need to mitigate this… what a concept, the education system training minds!) and (d) rogue AI doing annoying and worrying things like hacking government websites.
The author appears to be broadly in favour of AI but is worried about these issues, as well as being concerned about the ethical implications of military use of AI (but even that is complicated - we can renounce nuclear weapon perhaps but can we renounce military AI when less scrupulous countries have it?).
Hopefully AGI will turn out to be a fizzer but specialist AI works brilliantly, the shares will keep going up, investment continues and AI makes us prosperous in a time when productivity growth has otherwise stalled! And we keep our jobs or get more interesting ones.
BTW for some reason the header on this review says it is a review of an advance copy and that it hasn’t been published but I bought it in an ordinary book shop in Australia in late September 2026.
Review of advance copy
I bought this book in WHSmith Euston station so a bit puzzled by its release date of December this year.
In any case, it’s a good primer for AI conversations. Nothing too groundbreaking here, just the usual contemplative musings around AI’s future direction. A quick piece that covers a lot of ground but it is a bit thin on any new revelations or hypothes
In any case, it’s a good primer for AI conversations. Nothing too groundbreaking here, just the usual contemplative musings around AI’s future direction. A quick piece that covers a lot of ground but it is a bit thin on any new revelations or hypothes
September 9, 2026
God AI is an easy and engaging read that explains the potential risks and benefits of artificial intelligence in plain language. Toby Walsh draws on a wide range of sources and ideas, often summarising the views of other researchers before offering his own assessment. While the book provides a useful overview of debates about AI, readers familiar with the topic may find there is little that is genuinely new. The only strength lies in bringing together complex arguments in a clear and accessible way rather than advancing original theories. Despite some overemphasis on speculative existential risks, it is a worthwhile introduction for anyone seeking an overview of AI and its potential impact on society. Can't say this was a page turner...
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews