A Dangerous Master: How to Keep Technology from Slipping Beyond Our Control - Paperback

by Wendell Wallach (Author)

There is no doubt that we're in an era of remarkable scientific advancement. From nanotechnology to synthetic organisms, new developments are poised to radically transform the human experience. Yet, profound growth comes with profound risks: a drone can drop a bomb just as easily as it can deliver your groceries; 3D printers can make personal firearms as well as tools and medical devices, and powerful supercomputers can take down a major financial institution just as easily as they can manage your stock portfolio. In A Dangerous Master, renowned ethicist Wendell Wallach delves into the moral challenges of these advancements, urging both creators and users to address the moral and ethical complexities of rapid technological growth. Despite the promise of scientific innovation, Wallach warns of technology spiraling beyond human control. The book examines resistance to meaningful regulation, while proposing solutions to regain control of our technological future. Wallach's narrative provides a balanced analysis, offering stark warnings alongside hope, compelling us to confront the practical--and moral--dimensions of our creations.

Author Biography

Wendell Wallach has gained international recognition as an expert on the ethics and governance of emerging technologies, with a focus on artificial intelligence and biotechnologies. He currently serves as a Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs (CCEIA), where he is the founder and co-director of the AI and Equality Initiative. Additionally, Wallach holds the position of senior advisor to The Hastings Center and is a scholar at the Yale University Interdisciplinary Center for Bioethics, where he chaired Technology and Ethics studies for eleven years. Alongside Colin Allen, he co-authored the widely cited book Moral Machines: Teaching Robots Right from Wrong, which explores the potential for implementing moral decision-making capabilities in AI.