Exponential: How Accelerating Technology Is Leaving Us Behind and What to Do About It

Exponential: How Technology Is Accelerating the Future is a book by Azeem Azhar that explores how technology is transforming business and society and how we can respond to this change. The book offers valuable insights and recommendations for navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of technology.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 07 September 2021
Publisher: Cornerstone

The Times and Financial Times Book of the Year, "Exponential," delves into the rapidly evolving world of technology and its profound impact on business, society, and democracy. Written by a leading technologist, the book offers a comprehensive exploration of the exponential gap, highlighting the challenges faced by the human mind as it struggles to keep up with the rapid pace of change.

The author examines corporations, workplaces, diplomacy, and big tech, providing insights into how these sectors are being reshaped by exponential technologies. Through vivid anecdotes and expert analysis, "Exponential" makes sense of a period of dizzyingly fast change and offers valuable guidance on how we can respond to these transformations.

One of the book's key strengths lies in its diligent and comprehensive definition of a new phase in human affairs. The author carefully examines the implications of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things, and their potential to revolutionize industries and societies. The book also explores the ethical and societal challenges associated with these technologies, such as job displacement, privacy concerns, and the concentration of power.

The Sunday Times praises "Exponential" for its sweeping, engaging, nuanced, and ultimately conflicted look at how recent innovations in computing and other emerging technologies have radically transformed human existence. The author deftly examines the benefits and drawbacks of these technologies, raising important questions about their impact on privacy, social inequality, and the future of work. The Financial Times commends the book for its knack for interrogating and inverting conventional thinking, presenting a convincing case that something extraordinary is taking place in business and society. The author challenges traditional beliefs about the role of technology in driving economic growth and emphasizes the need for a re-direction of technological change to prioritize social well-being and sustainability.

Economist describes "Exponential" as comprehensive but lively, highlighting its ability to engage readers while providing a deep understanding of the complex issues at hand. The book is considered an essential addition to the ongoing discourse about where remarkable new technologies can take us and where we should be aiming to go. Highly recommended by experts in the field, "Exponential" offers valuable insights and perspectives on the future of technology and its potential to shape a more inclusive and sustainable system.

Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn and author of "Blitzscaling," praises Azhar for his unapologetically bullish stance on the power of technology. He emphasizes the need for shaping technology to put it back in the service of society, advocating for a more ethical and responsible approach to its development and deployment. The Guardian recommends "Exponential" to those interested in how we can design a more inclusive and sustainable system with a re-direction of technological change at its centre. Mariana Mazzucato, UCL professor and author of "The Power of Now," praises the book for its insightful analysis of the relationship between technology and society. She argues that the exponential gap presents an opportunity to create a more equitable and sustainable future, emphasizing the need for a re-imagining of our economic and political systems to harness the potential of technology for the benefit of all.

In conclusion, "Exponential" is a valuable and timely book that delves into the rapidly evolving world of technology and its profound impact on business, society, and democracy. Written by a leading technologist, the book offers a comprehensive exploration of the exponential gap, highlighting the challenges faced by the human mind
mind and offering valuable guidance on how we can respond to these transformations. With its diligent and comprehensive definition of a new phase in human affairs, engaging analysis, and insightful perspectives, "Exponential" is highly recommended to anyone interested in understanding the future of technology and its potential to shape a more inclusive and sustainable system.

Weight: 564g
Dimension: 164 x 240 x 36 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781847942906