DRIVER IN THE DRIVERLESS CAR

Tech experts Vivek Wadhwa and Alex Salkever describe dozens of astonishing technological advances in this fascinating and thought-provoking book, which asks what kind of future lies ahead – Star Trek or Mad Max.Breakthroughs such as personalized genomics, drones, self-driving vehicles, and artificial intelligence could make our lives healthier, safer, and easier. On the other hand, the same technologies raise the spectre of a frightening future – eugenics, a jobless economy, a complete loss of privacy, and ever-worsening economic inequality.Wadhwa says that we need to ask three questions about every emerging technology: Does it have the potential to benefit everyone equally? What are the risks and the rewards? And does it promote autonomy or dependence? This edition is updated throughout and includes a new chapter on quantum computing, which promises exponentially reduced processing times – and vastly increased security risks. There’s also a bonus section about advances in cancer treatment and how India will play a critical role in this space. In the end, our future is up to us; our hands may not be on the wheel, but we will decide the driverless car’s destination.