Supremacy dissects the AI arms race, the rivalry among Silicon Valley’s biggest names, and what the future might look like

📚 “You might be wondering if a human wrote [this book]” is the opening line of the 2024 FT Book of the Year award recipient, Supremacy: AI, ChatGPT, and the Race That Will Change the World — now that’s quite the tone-setter. Written by Wall Street Journal tech journalist Parmy Olson, the book offers an insider’s dissection of the AI arms race, detailing the rivalry among Silicon Valley’s biggest AI players, and what a future where AI reigns supreme means.

Neatly categorized into four “acts,” Olson explores the high-stakes rivalry between Demis Hassabis of Google DeepMind and Sam Altman of OpenAI. She traces their backgrounds to illustrate how their philosophies have shaped the current AI landscape. The narrative follows the shift from academic curiosity to a cutthroat sprint fueled by massive investments.

The book traces the rise of ChatGPT, detailing how a research lab’s pivot to consumer products caught the world off guard. Olson explains how the quest for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) moved from theory to the center of global power. Through her reporting, the “race” is revealed as not just a technical pursuit but as a battle for the very soul of the internet, as goals of “AI for good” were increasingly sidelined by commercial pressures.

What we liked: What sets Supremacy apart is Olson’s disciplined approach. She delivers proper storytelling but with a refreshing style — avoiding florid language and staying strictly to the point. The depth of her reporting is evident, yet the prose remains fast-paced and accessible. We particularly appreciated her use of historical analogies, comparing the AI boom to past technological shifts to show how those movements fared and ultimately ended.

Our verdict: We liked Supremacy and think you should read it. It’s a pivotal book that is more relevant than ever as the world continues to shift due to the AI revolution. Olson provides the necessary context to understand that the current arms race isn’t just about software — it’s about who gets to define the future of intelligence. If you want to understand the egos and economics behind the code, this is an essential addition to your shelf.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can find a physical copy at Diwan. You can listen to the audiobook on Storytel and get the ebook on Amazon.