Humankind is now at the crossroads of perhaps our most unique moment in our short history as a species on Earth. Given enough computing power, data, and time, it is inevitable that at some point in our not-too-distant future, we will succeed in creating a form of artificial intelligence that far surpasses our own. And when that time comes – and it really appears to be a matter of when, not if – how will such a being respond to us? In Building a God, Christopher DiCarlo, a global leader in the ethics of artificial intelligence, unpacks the tangled web surrounding AI, revealing to readers what we know, what we don’t, and how we might prepare ourselves for eventualities that we don’t know we don’t know yet.

Through ethical reasoning and sound critical thinking, DiCarlo explores the future of AI – its benefits, harms, and governance. Surely, AI will positively impact our lives in myriad ways: from healthcare to education, manufacturing to sustainability, AI-powered tools will improve productivity and add ease to the most massive global industries and to our own personal daily routines alike. But, we have already witnessed the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the risks of this new technology: AI algorithms can manipulate human behavior, spread disinformation, shape public opinion, and impact democratic processes. Sophisticated technologies such as GPT-4, Dall-E 2, and video Deepfakes allow users to create, distort, and alter information. Perhaps more troubling is the foundational lack of transparency in both the utilization and design of AI models.

What ethical precepts should be determined for AI, and by whom? And what will happen if rogue abusers decide not to comply with such ethical guidelines? How should we enforce these precepts? Should the UN develop a Charter or Accord which all member states agree to and sign off on? Should governments develop a form of international regulative body similar to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which regulates not only the use of nuclear energy, but nuclear weaponry as well?

In this incisive and cogent meditation on the future of AI, DiCarlo argues for the ethical governance of AI by identifying the key components, obstacles, and points of progress gained so far by the global community, and by putting forth thoughtful and measured policies to regulate this dangerous technology.