A new industrial revolution has begun. Like mechanization or electricity before it, artificial intelligence will touch every aspect of our lives—and cause profound disruptions in the balance of global power, especially among the AI superpowers: China, the United States, and Europe.
Four Battlegrounds, dust jacket
While one could argue that the writers of the dust jacket of Four Battlegrounds needs to read up on Alvin Toffler’s The Third Wave, the core argument in Sharre’s newest book is that the struggle over artificial intelligence (AI) is defined by four key elements:
- “Data is a vital resource like coal or oil, but in must be collected and refined.”
- “Advanced computer ships are the essence of computing power—control over chip supply chains grant leverage over rivals.”
- Talent is about people; which country attracts the best researchers and most advanced technology companies?”
- “The fourth ‘battlefield’ is maybe the most critical: the ultimate leader in AI will have institutions that effectively incorporate AI into their economy, society, and especially the military.” (Four Battlegrounds, dust jacket)
You can read a short or long version of Four Battlegrounds. The short version is the first 40 pages where the four key elements are discussed. If you want the long version the next 266 pages can be read. Those 266 pages cover seven areas of discussion which are framed using the key elements. The end-matter section of the book is another 167 pages of acknowledgments, notes, and index.
The short version of Four Battlegrounds with the four key elements is a complete book, albeit, with wavetop detail. The in-depth discussions come in the next seven sections which cover:
- “Competition” – Why AI is needed.
- “Repression” – AI for authoritarian power.
- “Truth” – AI in disinformation.
- “Rift” – AI policy challenges.
- “Revolution” – AI development efforts.
- “Alchemy” – AI failures.
- “Fire” – AI in weapons.
From a hobby wargamer perspective there is not much that Four Battlegrounds offers except perhaps to frame the “setting” of a near-future wargame. As a wargame practitioner, however, the key elements in Four Battlegrounds and the (often) cautionary tales provide starting points for games addressing challenging issues surrounding the use of AI in political, social, economic, or military spheres.
Recommended.
Feature image courtesy RMN
The opinions and views expressed in this blog are those of the author alone and are presented in a personal capacity. They do not necessarily represent the views of U.S. Navy or any other U.S. government Department, Agency, Office, or employer.
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