The big question in Nexus asks whether or not we should trust AI with everything. This book challenges us to pause and reflect on how deeply embedded computers have become in our lives—not just as tools, but as active participants in our social, political, and emotional networks. Algorithms determine so much already, how much more are we willing to hand over to them?

“The computer network has become the nexus of most human activities. In the middle of almost every financial, social, or political transaction, we now find a computer.”

Unlike previous revolutions in communication—writing, printing, radio—AI is not just another medium. It has its own intelligence; it has agency. One of the most striking concepts Harari explores is the idea that we now live in a world where computers can create, manipulate, and impersonate intimacy.

In the 2010s, social media fought to control our attention. But now, Harari argues, the 2020s are about controlling our intimacy. What happens when bots begin making emotional connections—albeit fake ones—that influence how we vote, shop, or even understand ourselves?

Harari isn’t an alarmist about it, but he does tell us we need to get morally clear about this while we still have the ability to shape the future. He writes:

“We humans are still in control. We don’t know for how long, but we still have the power to shape these new realities.”

I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to more deeply understand not only technology, but also politics, society, and culture. They are all now linked, and how we use these connections going forward will have a great impact on our future.

My thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the review copy of Nexus.

I was not able to read this book and review it before its publishing date but now that I read it I have given it 4 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the advanced copy of this work in exchange for my honest review.

As expected Y.N. Harari has written an informative work that is easy to approach and easy to understand. I am never disappointed no matter the topic when I pick up a book by this author. So much of what he focuses on is something I consider to be essential to understanding what is happening in our world.

For those that enjoyed Sapiens, a comprehensive look at how humans and information have evolved through time. Fascinating and timely.

Though alarmist at times, the premise is very interesting. More or less, if you start with questions as to what is truth and what is the role of information in finding truth, you find difficulties in modern thought. The opening discussions about religious texts being a means of creating a truth from available information, which then get interpreted by "holy men" leading to the need for more religious texts to be regarded as truth, which in turn get interpreted is a pretty unique viewpoint leading you to interpretations of various attempts at "truth" that point to many modern problems. Where I think this falls apart a bit is the assumption that social networks and AI are considered "truth". I think some people think that, but as a general world or society? I think there is a lot of push back on that view, so the more problematic issues the author raises likely won't come to pass.

Review of Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI by Yuval Noah Harari

5/5

I would like to thank NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to preview this book. Yuval Noah Harari’s Nexus is a profound exploration of the evolution of information networks and their pivotal role in shaping human civilization. Building upon the narrative style that made Sapiens a global sensation, Harari delves into the intricate web of information dissemination, from ancient oral traditions to the digital age dominated by artificial intelligence.

Harari’s ability to weave complex historical events into a cohesive and engaging narrative is truly remarkable. He examines how information has been used to unite societies, establish religions, and wield power. For instance, he discusses the canonization of the Bible and its profound impact on societal structures, as well as the role of propaganda in regimes like Stalinism and Nazism. These historical insights provide a comprehensive understanding of the dual-edged nature of information networks.

One of the book’s standout features is its examination of the current AI revolution. Harari presents a balanced perspective, acknowledging the immense potential of AI while cautioning against its possible dangers. He argues that the real threat of AI lies not in autonomous robots, but in its capacity to manipulate information and, by extension, human behavior. This perspective is both refreshing and thought-provoking, urging readers to consider the ethical implications of our rapidly advancing technologies.

Harari’s writing is both accessible and intellectually stimulating. He has a knack for presenting complex ideas in a manner that is easy to grasp, without oversimplifying the subject matter. His use of historical anecdotes and contemporary examples makes the book relatable and engaging.

In conclusion, Nexus is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the profound impact of information networks on human history and the potential future implications of AI. Harari’s insightful analysis and engaging storytelling make this book both enlightening and enjoyable. It’s a timely reminder of the power of information and the responsibility that comes with it.

3.75
There was a lot going on in this book for better or for worse. At times, felt that it could have been tightened up at times and a central thesis more focused. A lot of relevant information regarding AI, political polarization, current conflict climate, etc. that made me intrigued to read Harari's other work

As someone who has worked in tech since close to the dawn of Internet time, I love reading books on technology occasionally. Yuval Noah Harari’s Nexus isn’t just a book—it’s a mental workout that makes you question everything from AI to the meaning of life to whether you’re spending too much time scrolling memes. Harari connects humanity’s past, present, and future like a philosophical jigsaw puzzle, and while it’s fascinating, you might need a nap after each chapter. I found it fascinating...but I do love NAPS!

A solid commentary, I think Harari is a special person who I love reading. As someone more "in" on the culture I found the book to be more speculative than fact. Sapiens is a tough book to beat!

What I've realized about Yuval Noah Harari is that he writes books for audiences that he assumes are ready to be dazzled by his ideas. There's a lot of quickly condensed information dumping, often to such reductive effect that it can't really be considered an introduction at all, followed by a lot of speculation leading to the conclusions that the reader is supposed to absorb and accept. It's a bit underwhelming. Readers looking for more thoughtful contemplations on information science, AI, and ethics in application of emerging technologies would be better served by reading:

Code-Dependent by Madhumita Murgia
Unmasking AI by Joy Buolamwini
A Brief History of Intelligence by Max Solomon Bennett
The Alignment Problem by Brian Christian
Human Compatible by Stuart Russell

A very informative book about information, how it spreads and the way AI may affect us in the years to come. Harari's book is well researched, thought out and presented in a way that they reader can digest a lot of heavy information. He also builds on concepts. I look forward to reading his other work.

As a first time reader of the author Yuval Noah Harari, I was pleasantly surprised by the depth, reach and overall readability of Nexus, his latest book. The throughline for this book is how the structure of information networks through human history has evolved from requiring human input into the current state where machines can act on their own accord and AI seems poised to take over. There is actually not much in this book that has not been examined before however the presentation makes the material considerably easier to comprehend and absorb than that of many previous works .Additionally, it is a real pleasure to be presented with a book that encourages intellectual pursuits without promoting the pretensions and barriers to access that so often accompany them. Readers who want to understand more deeply how the management of information has, does and will structure our everyday experiences are will find something of value here.


4.5 stars rounded to 4

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Random House Publishing Group , for providing me with an eARC in Exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book. I did not enjoy this book, but also think it should be required reading for anyone living in the modern age. I found the premise of this book on the importance of information and the systems we use to organize was so timely and relevant for humanity's next big leap in information and data analysis. It also reminded me of why I almost exclusively read fantasy. This was a terrifying look at AI, the negative forces that are undermining democracy and freedom in social media and the amount of surveillance and behavior control that is already occurring. I thought it was fascinating how he explained the naive view of more information always being a good thing ignores how information can be misinterpreted, misused, and ignored. As someone who is old enough to remember a world before Facebook and Google, I remember how optimistic and excited we were for these new tools and tech without even sparing a thought for the implications of what social media, data mining, and optimized searches would be over time. I think it was a good choice for the author to bring up this past shortsightedness when talking about the current development of AI.
I really appreciated how the book did not end on a negative note, but offered concrete action items and solutions for some of the problems our new advances in information technology and data analysis. The concerning part is that the reasonable solutions he proposed do not seem likely given the precarious state of the world right now. I also thought Harari's perspective was really unique and fascinating and I will definitely be picking up more of his books.

Alright, I received a cipy through NetGalley quite a while ago, and just didn't get to post an actual review until now. Which I should've done at the time for sure. Oh well. I still remember enough of the book, in any case, to be able to do so now.

This isn't the first book by Harari that I read. Regardless of what one may think of the research itself, there is no denying that this author has a knoack for storytelling and for grabbing a reader's attention (in a good way), all things that are a strong point when it comes to non fiction just as well as for fiction. Especially on the theme if information networks and their latest child (so to speak), the artificial intelligence, a pretty current topic.

Overall, it was quite an interesting read, and one that I would recommend, even though it wasn't my favourite one by Harari—the latter being caused, perhaps, by the amount of information in the book, which means that each piece couldn't be prodded in much depth. It does give food for thought, though, and a foundation for a reader to go and do more research on this or that aspect of it—sometimes, all we need is the idea of "check this out" for us to realise that, well, said topic is A Thing. That said, if you're looking for something with, well, more depth and deeper analysis, this is not the book.

This book was really far-ranging. I enjoyed thinking of all of the topics Noah-Harari connected throughout the book. I really enjoyed his discussion about how the spread of information can make a big difference to how societies function. Lots to think about for the future.

This was a wonderful book. Only once in a lifetime does a book this applicable to our times and conditions come along.

Nexus A brief history of information Networks from the stone age to AI
Yuval Noah Harari
Genre/Category: Technology, History, Philosophy
Publication Date September 10, 2024
Publisher Random House

Professor Harari has written a must read book for all participants in AI, whether they are engineers or are ultimately users. His approach is one of historic perspective based on changes in information technology in civilization. He presents. cases where information intelligence went comparatively wrong or disastrous. I believe that ultimately, he is pro AI while giving a great number of caveats. More importantly he is suggesting workable solutions to the problems that AI may present. I also believe on balance AI will be a positive for society and it is to be hoped that the repercussions will be be significantly better than those following the Industrial Revolution e.g. colonialism and world war. I believe that his main point is that we can, via legislation, come up with solutions such as code embedded self correcting mechanisms rather than much after the fact as in the case of the Industrial Revolution.

Harari :“The algorithms should learn to doubt themselves, to signal uncertainty and to obey the precautionary principle. This is not impossible. Engineers are already making considerable headway encouraging AI to express self-doubt, ask for feedback and admit its”.
However, Harai again: “What would stop AI from being incorporated and recognized as legal persons with freedom of speech and then lobbying and making political donations to protect and expand?” Think about Citizens United.

This book could be easily called Scary Optimism. (or AI might be coming for your job.) Historically there is a great deal of fear, anxiety, and lack of accurate information about AI. Unfortunately, most of it is predicated on great science fiction movies like Terminator which was based on the idea of super self-programming AI computers gaining intelligence, human thought and overthrowing and enslaving humans. Harari “The use of this metric, however, is deeply confusing. It is like defining and evaluating airplanes to the metric bird level flight. AI isn't progressing towards human level intelligence; it is evolving into an entirely different type of intelligence.”
Harari: “Technology doesn't have to be a morality tale in which every golden apple contains the seeds of doom.”

Professor Harari is a philosopher and historian, who despite being an academic writes with jargon free clarity. He has written a prospective history of Artificial Intelligence by referencing historically significant information (intelligence?) breakthroughs. The advantage he has is that unlike the Industrial Revolution which even the progenitors were mostly not aware of we are absorbed by the rise of AI and feeding (training) it with our cat photos. Yes, and I would say food photos as well. One of my more famous t shirts (also on a coffee mug). on UZELESSTEESHIRTS.com states “If the product is free, (e.g. GOOGLE, Facebook, TikTok, etc.) you are the product” I am not kidding, those millions of cat photos and food we post on the internet in order to entertain ourselves, to say nothing of getting personal significance are “donated” by us to train AI. The salient fact is that none of the tech giants revealed this to us when we got free email etc., to say nothing of social significance, this total lack of transparency is not insignificant but may reveal the solution to gaining some measure of control over AI. Harari: “We get information from the tech giants, and we pay them with information” All things we post are scooped up by the AI algorithm to be fed back as search results. The clock may be ticking on free email, search, social connections, dancing babies, conspiracies, driving directions and dinner reservations. Information is power and we have given it to the algorithm. Maybe we should be paying for it in return for legislative controls which he refers to as self-correcting mechanisms. No one had any idea what the possible result of the Industrial Revolution would be: sweat shops, child labor, world war, colonialist conquest of other countries that were rich in natural resources: coal, iron, etc. needed for industrial production. Thus, there were no self-correcting mechanisms. However, because of ubiquitous education, personal computers, the internet and social media we can start to put together an approximation of the impact of AI. The Terminator sci fi version is almost universally negative like a Grimm Fairy Tale. A good metaphor for losing control of a creation is the Disney Fantasia animation about The Sorcerer’s Apprentice by Goethe. The tech industry and its media vassals utilize fear and joy as propaganda to sell advertising. Harari: “Should we agree to get free e-mail services, social connections, and entertainment from the tech giants in exchange for giving them control of our most sensitive data? If the tech giants cannot square their fiduciary duty with their current business model, legislators could require them to switch to a more traditional business model of getting users to pay for our services with money rather than information. Alternatively, citizens might view some digital services so fundamental that they should be free for everybody. But we have a social model for that too, healthcare and education. Citizens could decide that it is the government's responsibility to provide basic digital services for free and finance them out of our taxes, just as many governments, not the USA, provide free basic health care and education services.”

Recently, I reread 1984 which was based on the belief that totalitarianism would be like the government of Hitler and Stalin. I suggest “libertarian” government may well be Google, META Facebook, Amazon, Tesla, Twitter X, Apple, Microsoft et al as a potentially privatized Corporate Communist Big Brother. A brain dead, soulless corporation that owns the means of communication.
Harari: “Technology doesn't have to be a morality tale in which every golden apple contains the seeds of doom.”
Who owns AI? (Hint, the same people whose blissful ignorance started and eventually owned the Industrial Revolution.)
Don’t get me started.

Nexus
By Yuval Noah Harari

This is a book about many things, almost too many to process. But overall it seems to be about evolution – change – and how humans, while progressing throughout history have also created most of the devastating forces threatening us and our world today and in the future.

Information – how it is created and transmitted – seems to be the crux of the matter. How do we know what is true and what is not, called disinformation? Does the surfeit of information all around us through language, both oral and written; media (radio, television, computers, cell phones); and ultimately through the prism of AI help us or hurt us in the future?

This book gives the reader much to think about, whether or not you agree with everything Mr. Harari posits. It is worth reading.

In Harari's classic style, this stellar book dives into how humans have progressed though technology. While this book is best enjoyed by those who have little knowledge of the subject, it's daunting page count overshadows its message.

I requested this book from NetGalley because I was a fan of Harari's previous book, Sapiens. I try to take a realty break from fiction every once in a while now that my stint as a business book reviewer is behind me... but this one was...tough. I mean that in the best way possible. Harari's research is impeccable and he asks some brutal questions; it's really a must read for anyone who wants to know how we got into this divided state, and also, possibly, how we can dig ourselves out of it. I wish it had been required reading for the entire country eight years ago. The lead up to our present information breakdown offers insight and some hope, but there are also some hard truths that just have to be faced, as in, when considering AI—we've created this monster, and we don't really know how to tame it. It's not all bad news, but I'm not going to lie, it's a lot. The thing is, Harari still crafts a fascinating historical perspective, and it's really necessary to understand that if we want to move forward, together.