The driver in the driverless car : how our technology choices will create the future (First edition)

Technology is advancing faster than ever-but for better or for worse?

On the one hand, astonishing technology developments such as personalized genomics, self-driving cars, drones, and artificial intelligence could make our lives healthier, safer, and easier.

On the other hand, these very same technologies could raise the specter of a frightening and alienating future-eugenics, a jobless economy, a complete loss of privacy, and an ever-worsening spiral of economic inequality.

How can we make appropriate decisions about whether and how to adopt new technologies?

Vivek Wadhwa and Alex Salkever propose that we ask three questions: Does the technology have the potential to benefit everyone equally?

What are the risks and the rewards? Does the technology more strongly promote autonomy or independence?

They subject a host of new and potential technologies to these questions, but ultimately it is up to the reader to make the final decision.