Genius Weapons

A highly readable and deeply researched exploration of one of the most chilling aspects of the development of artificial intelligence: the creation of intelligent, autonomous killing machines. In Louis A. Del Monte's view, the multibillion dollar arms industry and longstanding rivalries among nations make the creation of autonomous weapons extremely likely. We must resist the allure of genius weapons, Del Monte argues, because they will almost inevitably lead to our extinction. --James Barrat, author of Our Final Invention: Artificial Intelligence and the End of the Human Era For the second time in history, humanity is on the verge of creating weapons that might wipe us out entirely. Will we have the wisdom not to use them? No one can say, but this book will give you the facts you need to think about the issue intelligently. --J. Storrs Hall, author of Beyond AI: Creating the Conscience of the Machine This thought-provoking read provides insight into future world weapons scenarios we may face as technology rapidly advances. A call to arms for humanity, this book details the risks if we do not safeguard technology and weapon development. --Carl Hedberg, semiconductor sales and manufacturing management for thirty-seven years at Honeywell, Inc. In Genius Weapons, Del Monte provides a thorough and well-researched review of the history and development of 'smart weapons' and artificial intelligence. Then, using his background and imagination, he paints a very frightening picture of our possible future as these technologies converge. He challenges our understanding of warfare and outlines the surprising threat to mankind that may transpire in the not-too-distant future. --Anthony Hickl, PhD in materials science and former director of Project and Portfolio Management for New Products at Cargill We are already living the next war, which is increasingly being fought with the developing weapons that Del Monte writes about so engagingly. --Istvan Hargittai, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, author of Judging Edward Teller Del Monte explores a fascinating topic, which is of great importance to the world as the implementation of AI continues to grow. He points out the many applications of AI that can help humanity improve nearly every aspect of our lives--in medicine, business, finance, marketing, manufacturing, education, etc. He also raises important ethical concerns that arise with the use of AI in weapons systems and warfare. The book examines the difficulty of controlling these systems as they become more and more intelligent, someday becoming smarter than humans. --Edward Albers, retired semiconductor executive at Honeywell Analytics