The Social Science of Computerized Brains – Review of The Age of Em: Work, Love, and Life When Robots Rule the Earth by Robin Hanson (Oxford University Press, 2016). (June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baum, Seth D.
• Is Part Of: Futures. Volume 90(2017)
• Page Start: 61
• Page End: 63
• Publication Date: 2017-06
• Subjects: Artificial intelligence -- Brain emulation -- Scenario analysis -- Economics; Economic forecasting -- Periodicals; Technological forecasting -- Periodicals; Economic policy -- Periodicals; Prévision économique -- Périodiques; Prévision technologique -- Périodiques; Politique économique -- Périodiques; Economic forecasting; Economic policy; Technological forecasting; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 330.0112
• DOI: 10.1016/j.futures.2017.03.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0016-3287

Abstract

Highlights: The Age of Em describes a future scenario of human minds uploaded into computers. The emulated minds or "ems" take over the global economy. The book provides a valuable detailed social science perspective. The book's pro-em argument is unpersuasive. Abstract: A new book by Robin Hanson, The Age of Em: Work, Love, and Life When Robots Rule the Earth, is reviewed. The Age of Em describes a future scenario in which human minds are uploaded into computers, becoming emulations or "ems". In the scenario, ems take over the global economy by running on fast computers and copying themselves to multitask. The book's core methodology is the application of current social science to this future scenario, a welcome change from the usual perspectives from physical science, computer science, and philosophy. However, in giving a wide tour of the em world, the book sometimes gets bogged down in details. Furthermore, while the book claims that the em takeover scenario would be a good thing for the world and thus should be pursued, its argument is unpersuasive. That said, the book offers by far the most detailed description of the em world available, and its scenario offers a rich baseline for future study of this important topic.