Mustafa Suleyman’s The Coming Wave: Technology, Power, and the Twenty-First Century’s Greatest Dilemma explores the social, political, and ethical challenges presented by emerging technologies like advanced AI and synthetic biology. Suleyman suggests that, while these technologies offer transformative potential, they also present significant risks. The book is not about developing AI skills for scholarship and academia, but I thought it provides an insight into what’s happening at the cutting edge of technology development, which is essential for all knowledge workers to be aware of.

Key takeaways

1. Containment is critical. Ensuring technologies remain under control is the central challenge of our time. Once unleashed, their trajectory becomes unpredictable and difficult to reverse.
2. Amplified inequality. Advanced technologies risk deepening existing social and economic divides by concentrating power among those who control them.
3. Global coordination is essential. Without unified policies and international oversight, rogue actors or nation-states could exploit these technologies for harmful purposes.
4. Ethics and safety must lead innovation. Embedding ethical considerations into the design and deployment of technologies is vital to prevent unintended consequences.
5. Prepare for systemic change. The disruption to employment, governance, and societal structures will be vast, requiring proactive planning and adaptation.

Practical implications for academics

1. Career resilience. Academics should focus on developing skills that are complementary to AI, such as critical thinking, interdisciplinary expertise, and ethical decision-making.
2. Integrating AI in scholarship. Use AI as a tool for productivity e.g. literature reviews, data analysis, and automating repetitive tasks, to enhance human expertise.
3. Ethical engagement. Incorporate discussions about the societal impacts of technology into research, teaching, and professional practice to prepare students and colleagues for a rapidly changing world.
4. Collaboration opportunities. Form interdisciplinary partnerships to explore the applications and implications of advanced technologies within academia and beyond.
5. Focus on well-being. Embrace tools that reduce administrative burdens, allowing more time for deep work, research, and personal development amidst increasing demands.

This book serves as a wake-up call to academics and professionals,urging them to understand and prepare for the profound changes these technologies will bring. By developing AI skills for scholarship, academics can position themselves as leaders in navigating this complex and transformative era.

Suleyman, M., & Bhaskar, M. (2023). The Coming Wave: Technology, Power, and the 21st Century’s Greatest Dilemma. Vintage Digital.