The past sixty years have witnessed astonishing bursts of growth in the field of Artificial Intelligence the science and computational technologies that teach machines to sense, learn, reason and take action. AI is already changing our lives, in ways that benefit health, productivity and entertainment. Are we on the threshold of an AI-dominated world, in which humans will no longer be necessary?

This timely volume in The Big Idea series surveys the evolution of AI over the last sixty years and explores how it’s transforming society today and for decades to come. Artificial Intelligence, which once felt like a far-off futuristic fantasy, is now changing everyday life. The past sixty years have witnessed astonishing bursts of growth in the field of AI—the science and computational technologies that teach machines to sense, learn, reason, and act. AI is already altering our lives in ways that benefit health, productivity, and entertainment. Are we on the threshold of an AI-dominated world in which humans will no longer be necessary? Broken down into the past, present, and future of AI, Will AI Replace Us? gives the reader what they need to know in order to form an opinion about the revolutionary advances in technology. University of California, San Francisco, neuroscientist Dr. Shelly Fan expertly explains all sides of the debate, making the relevant science approachable for readers. Accompanying her intelligent text are numerous illustrations that add a compelling and informative visual element. Timely and relevant, Will AI Replace Us? is an important read in the Digital Age.

Why has the flow of big, world-changing ideas slowed down? A provocative look at what happens next at the frontiers of human knowledge. The history of humanity is the history of big ideas that expand our frontiers—from the wheel to space flight, cave painting to the massively multiplayer game, monotheistic religion to quantum theory. And yet for the past few decades, apart from a rush of new gadgets and the explosion of digital technology, world-changing ideas have been harder to come by. Since the 1970s, big ideas have happened incrementally—recycled, focused in narrow bands of innovation. In this provocative book, Michael Bhaskar looks at why the flow of big, world-changing ideas has slowed, and what this means for the future. Bhaskar argues that the challenge at the frontiers of knowledge has arisen not because we are unimaginative and bad at realizing big ideas but because we have already pushed so far. If we compare the world of our great-great-great-grandparents to ours today, we can see how a series of transformative ideas revolutionized almost everything in just a century and a half. But recently, because of short-termism, risk aversion, and fractious decision making, we have built a cautious, unimaginative world. Bhaskar shows how we can start to expand the frontier again by thinking big—embarking on the next Universal Declaration of Human Rights or Apollo mission—and embracing change.

This timely title weighs masculinity’s capacity for good against its potential for destruction in the context of contemporary debates on the topic. In the wake of the MeToo movement and the upsurge in both feminist and men’s rights activism, traditional masculinity has become the topic of impassioned debate. Is Masculinity Toxic? interrogates the myths surrounding modern manhood, asking whether—and how—we need to change our attitudes toward masculinity in the twenty-first century. Therapist Andrew Smiler addresses the topic of masculinity in four chapters: “Evolving Understandings of Masculinity,” which examines the history of ideas about masculinity, “Male Power to Harm,” which dissects the societal impacts of “toxic” masculinity, including bullying behavior, rape culture, and early male mortality; “Men and Interpersonal Relationships,” discusses how men are encouraged not to express their feelings, the sexual objectification of women, and male attitudes toward fatherhood; and “Changing Face of Masculinity Today,” which details the ways in which masculinity might adapt to the last century’s sweeping changes in gender roles. Is Masculinity Toxic? revisits all sides of the debate, recognizing the positive impact of some of today’s models of masculinity while acknowledging the failures and limitations of others.

Companies that don't use AI to their advantage will soon be left behind. Artificial intelligence and machine learning will drive a massive reshaping of the economy and society. What should you and your company be doing right now to ensure that your business is poised for success? These articles by AI experts and consultants will help you understand today's essential thinking on what AI is capable of now, how to adopt it in your organization, and how the technology is likely to evolve in the near future. Artificial Intelligence: The Insights You Need from Harvard Business Review will help you spearhead important conversations, get going on the right AI initiatives for your company, and capitalize on the opportunity of the machine intelligence revolution. Catch up on current topics and deepen your understanding of them with the Insights You Need series from Harvard Business Review. Featuring some of HBR's best and most recent thinking, Insights You Need titles are both a primer on today's most pressing issues and an extension of the conversation, with interesting research, interviews, case studies, and practical ideas to help you explore how a particular issue will impact your company and what it will mean for you and your business.

What Shape is Space? is a question with surprisingly far-reaching implications for our understanding of the very nature of reality and our place within it. The concepts involved may be sophisticated, but Giles Sparrows effortless prose style easily renders them understandable, allowing readers to get to grips with the overarching debates at the cutting edge of cosmology today. Infographics, diagrams and astronomical visualizations illustrate and clarify the various astonishing implications of a universe of infinite space.

This new volume in The Big Idea series evaluates the impact of the increased use of technology in everyday life on society. Modern technology has undoubtedly enhanced our lives in numerous, powerful ways—we can now communicate in real time with friends and colleagues around the world, and do mundane tasks such as shopping or banking at a touch. But has there been a detrimental effect on our health and happiness? Is Technology Making Us Sick? assesses the impact of our increased screen time and everyday interactions with modern technology, the ways we relate to others, and on our mental and physical health. In Is Technology Making Us Sick?, expert Ian Douglas traces the development of human interaction with technology over the last thirty years. His in-depth analysis dissects the key issues, including the consequences of social media and gaming on self-esteem, brain development, anxiety levels, loneliness, depression, and personal relationships; and the impact on our stress levels of always being plugged into the internet. Ultimately, Is Technology Making Us Sick? offers strategies to combat habit-forming products and presents ways to take advantage of revolutionary technology without falling victim to its negative impacts.

This thought-provoking volume from noted food writer Joy Manning dissects how the production and consumption of food have become harmful to our personal, societal, and environmental health—and assesses the possible remedies. In the developed world, small-scale family farms have largely been replaced by factory farms, shared meals have given way to eating on the go, and our favorite mass-produced foods can be purchased around the globe. These might seem like indicators of progress in a globalized world that supports a population of 7.7 billion; however, with chronic obesity on the rise, our food laced with additives and chemicals, and the environment devastated by industrial farming, pesticides, fertilizers, and monoculture, it is time to reevaluate what we eat and how we eat it. In Is Our Food Killing Us?, food writer Joy Manning explores the ways in which our food systems have failed us and how we can build a better, more sustainable future. Manning investigates how human bodies and brains respond to different flavors and food groups, and the ways in which corporations have exploited this to create hyperpalatable food products without nutritional value. She then critically addresses how companies market their products to maximize profit at the expense of public health, explaining how fast food came to rule. Zooming out and looking at the large-scale effects of diet, Manning examines the disastrous impact of modern agribusiness on climate change and biodiversity loss. Finally, Manning carefully considers solutions and how we can regain a healthier relationship with food, from eating organic produce to reintroducing family meals, and from changing how we buy food to adopting a plant-based diet.

This captivating entry in the "Big Idea" series explores the history of democracy, as well as its evolution and viability moving forward. Only four countries around the world do not currently define themselves as democracies. However, many more do not fulfill the four basic requirements of democracy: free and fair elections, active participation of citizens in politics, protection of human rights, and the rule of law. Recently, far-right and populist politicians have been on the rise throughout the West. Is populism the new face of democracy? Is democracy simply the will of the people? Can any existing government claim to be truly democratic? In Is Democracy Failing?, writer Niheer Dasandi, an expert in government and political science, investigates these questions with careful consideration. This captivating, articulate volume in the “Big Idea” series explores the state of democracy today and whether it remains a viable form of government.

Written by an expert in the field, Does Monogamy Work? examines why monogamy is the social norm and the growing interest in alternative relationship models. Even with the current rise in awareness of sexual and intimate diversity, monogamous relationships remain the cultural norm. Most people aspire to it, and the state encourages it, providing legal and financial benefits to married couples; however, statistics show adultery is commonplace, marriage rates are falling, and divorce figures are rising. This entry in the Big Idea series traces the evolution and normalization of the monogamous ideal—questioning whether it is “natural” or not—and surveys the spectrum of alternative relationship models that people are seeking out in a world of internet dating and birth control. It explores the emotional and psychological facets of ethical polyamorous relationships; questions whether these relationships benefit men disproportionately and whether they are compatible with raising children; and assesses the likelihood that diverse forms of multipartner marriages and large friendship networks will become the norm in the future. With over 150 color images and incisive, engaging, and authoritative text, Does Monogamy Work? examines society’s attachment to monogamy, evaluates its benefits and limitations, and assesses the merits of polyamorous relationship models in our modern world.