Unsupervised: Navigating and Influencing a World Controlled by Powerful New Technologies by Daniel Doll-Steinberg and Stuart Leaf.
Daniel holds a BS in Engineering from The University of Manchester UK and Honorary Senior Research Associate from University College London. He is a lecturer at The Wharton School. He is co-founder and partner at EdenBase. Advisor to the UK Government and European Commission on innovation, growth, and education policy. Stuart holds a BA in Economics and MBA from Stanford. He is co-founder of the Cadogan fund.
Written by experienced technology fund managers, Daniel and Stuart are addressing the broad range of powerful new technologies which are disrupting and transforming everything. In fact their message is simply now is the time that you must act and adapt. This book was named a Bloomberg Best Book of 2023.
At first glance you may consider the focus upon Unsupervised Machine Learning, but that is way off base. Daniel and Stuart are providing an overview of how a core set of disruptive technologies have been developing at an accelerating pace that most of the world is not accustomed to seeing. They also question who is in fact in control of these technologies, and are emphasizing that these have developed for the most part without any supervision.
Change at an uncomfortable pace
Their pitch is that business leaders, entrepreneurs, academics, educators, lawmakers, investors and even users must be responsible citizens to influence, guide and embrace these technologies including quantum computing, artificial intelligence, blockchain, decentralization, and virtual and augmented reality.
Their key theme is understanding disruptive technologies and their impacts upon different markets including energy and medical technologies. To no surprise these will redefine work, money, entertainment, transportation and all the way into your home.
Daniel and Stuart are indeed expressing concerns to ethical dilemmas. Policies need to be addressed on a global scale. Without proper supervision, developments can go off the rails. Look no further than Kashmir Hills’ Your Face Belongs to Us.
This is their push for a global, responsible development effort leading to a balance implementation.
In conclusion, Unsupervised is a book for technology focused readers who will benefit from their positions. The speed of change is occurring fast than you think. They pull you outside your comfort zone and make credible claims.