The Intelligence Explosion: When AI Beats Humans at Everything

With the rapid rise of generative artificial intelligence, both existential fears and uncritical enthusiasm for AI systems have surged. In this era of unprecedented technological growth, understanding the profound impacts of AI -- both positive and negative -- is more crucial than ever.

In The Intelligence Explosion, James Barrat, a leading technology expert, equips readers with the tools to navigate the complex and often chaotic landscape of modern AI. This compelling book dives deep into the challenges posed by generative AI, exposing how tech companies have built systems that are both error-prone and impossible to fully interpret.

Through insightful interviews with AI pioneers, Barrat highlights the unstable trajectory of AI development, showcasing its potential for modest benefits and catastrophic consequences. Bold, eye-opening, and essential, The Intelligence Explosion is a must-read for anyone grappling with the realities of the technological revolution.

Author: James Barrat
Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: 09/02/2025
Pages: 336
Weight: 0.88lbs
Size: 8.44h x 5.80w x 1.11d
ISBN: 9781250355027


Review Citation(s):
Library Journal 06/01/2025 pg. 107
Kirkus Reviews 06/15/2025
Publishers Weekly 06/23/2025

About the Author
James Barrat is an author and documentary filmmaker who's written and produced films for National Geographic, Discovery, PBS, and many other broadcasters in the United States and Europe. He is the author of Our Final Invention: Artificial Intelligence and the End of the Human Era, Facing Sucide: Why People Kill Themselves and How We Can Stop Them, and The Intelligence Explosion: When AI Beats Humans at Everything.