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The Robots Are Coming: Us, Them and God
- GenresChristian
148 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 21, 2017
This is a timely and, I would say, needed book that bravely attempts to review the astounding pace of developments in Artificial Intelligence, robotics and other technologies, their effects on us as humans and society and frame some relevant questions about how we as humans should respond.
The author states initially the hope Christian churches and other congregations of people of faith will take a lead in helping society think through "these remarkable developments" and a future that seems as though it could be dominated by robots. This is important because "we need to keep our eyes fixed on the importance of humans taking care of humans, whatever wonderful machines we use in the process".
Generally, the book is successful at finding a balance between exploring and accepting new technology, acknowledging the potential huge benefits whilst being cautious and open-minded at their potential drawbacks Including mass unemployment, which he has written on separately).
The book is primarily for Christians/believers and asks pertinent questions for that group of people, such as: "How is it that we have had so much exposure to Robots in the media and yet so little discussion of their implications in the Church?", however others are more broad, yet pertinent and perceptive: "Think about people you know and love. What is there about them that a machine couldn't copy?".
If there is some criticism it is that the areas looked at are rather short in size and the issues need to be looked at perhaps in more detail, though perhaps the intention was to make it as accessible as possible to many non-specialist readers. Many of the sources are from commercial websites and pop science magazine blogs rather than truly objective academic sources, however, there are examples given which are valid.
The books ends with "speeches" from an imaginary Prime Minister and Archbishop of Canterbury in 2040 in the wake of riots from a population angered by the impact of Robots. The speeches are
rather good, coherent and cohesive views are given in a world decades from now. Credit is due for some imagination being used here yet it is also a possible world.
The book ends with the very pertinent question, "What's your idea of how things are likely to go over the next 25 years? Do we have much choice - this chapter assumes we do have some - or is the role that technology will play in our future basically inevitable?".
These are the questions we must debate if we are to manage the pace of technological change effectively and deal with the issues instead of being frightened by the potential negatives.
I recommend this read as a help in approaching the who subject of AI, robots and automisation.
The author states initially the hope Christian churches and other congregations of people of faith will take a lead in helping society think through "these remarkable developments" and a future that seems as though it could be dominated by robots. This is important because "we need to keep our eyes fixed on the importance of humans taking care of humans, whatever wonderful machines we use in the process".
Generally, the book is successful at finding a balance between exploring and accepting new technology, acknowledging the potential huge benefits whilst being cautious and open-minded at their potential drawbacks Including mass unemployment, which he has written on separately).
The book is primarily for Christians/believers and asks pertinent questions for that group of people, such as: "How is it that we have had so much exposure to Robots in the media and yet so little discussion of their implications in the Church?", however others are more broad, yet pertinent and perceptive: "Think about people you know and love. What is there about them that a machine couldn't copy?".
If there is some criticism it is that the areas looked at are rather short in size and the issues need to be looked at perhaps in more detail, though perhaps the intention was to make it as accessible as possible to many non-specialist readers. Many of the sources are from commercial websites and pop science magazine blogs rather than truly objective academic sources, however, there are examples given which are valid.
The books ends with "speeches" from an imaginary Prime Minister and Archbishop of Canterbury in 2040 in the wake of riots from a population angered by the impact of Robots. The speeches are
rather good, coherent and cohesive views are given in a world decades from now. Credit is due for some imagination being used here yet it is also a possible world.
The book ends with the very pertinent question, "What's your idea of how things are likely to go over the next 25 years? Do we have much choice - this chapter assumes we do have some - or is the role that technology will play in our future basically inevitable?".
These are the questions we must debate if we are to manage the pace of technological change effectively and deal with the issues instead of being frightened by the potential negatives.
I recommend this read as a help in approaching the who subject of AI, robots and automisation.
January 28, 2018
Just finished reading Nigel Cameron's "The Robots Are Coming": Interesting book; raising some good questions we need to take seriously and think about.
May 10, 2019
Most interesting; thoughtfully put together and thought provoking.
April 29, 2020
Interesting at times, it does repeat itself a lot at the end, as if filling the pages on what is a short book, with much speculation aside.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews