About the Book
As machines become capable of doing most of the work people have performed for centuries, we are headed for a massive social reorganization.
Nanotech is at the point where it’s possible to unleash invisible robots and new materials into the world that permanently alter life on Earth. With genetic engineering, we have taken evolution into our own hands, creating new species of plants and animals that never existed before. We’re developing AIs that can predict future events, create lifelike simulations, and learn from their own mistakes. And space technology is advancing toward the point where visiting other planets and discovering alien life forms will no longer be the stuff of science fiction.
In The Five Forces That Change Everything, Steve Hoffman, venture capitalist and CEO of Founders Space, takes you on a journey to see what the most brilliant minds of our age are dreaming up. Hoffman reveals how new scientific breakthroughs and business ventures are poised to reshape our lives and turn science fiction into fact. From Silicon Valley biohackers boosting their IQs to scientists in Japan creating lifelike robots, and Chinese labs developing human-monkey chimeras, Hoffman gives an inside look at the limits of what’s possible and the impact these developments will have.
Hoffman delves into the hard questions: Should we modify the genetic code of life to produce new crops, cures for cancer, and DNA-edited babies? Is it possible to preserve any privacy in a world with billions of surveillance devices, where every action we take is parsed, analyzed, and recorded in a database? What happens when AI reaches or exceeds the level of human intelligence? How would it feel to connect our brains directly to one another and exchange thoughts, memories, and emotions? And what does it mean to merge with our machines and establish a class of cyborgs?
Along the way, Hoffman shows how these innovations are part of the five fundamental forces driving humanity forward. Our creations not only have the power to enable humans to live longer, healthier, richer lives, but also the potential to permanently change—and even destroy—us. The decisions we make in the coming years will determine who and what the human race becomes.
About the Author :
Steve Hoffman, or Captain Hoff as he's called in Silicon Valley, is the CEO of Founders Space, one of the world's leading startup incubators. He's also an angel investor, limited partner at August Capital, serial entrepreneur, and author of several award-winning books, including Make Elephants Fly and Surviving a Startup. Hoffman was also the founder and chairman of the Producers Guild Silicon Valley Chapter, Board of Governors of the New Media Council, and founding member of the Academy of Television's Interactive Media Group.
Review :
"""Steve Hoffman's book, The Five Forces, is a compelling vision of our forceful futures (of connectivity, biotech, space, automation & intelligence), and a great guide to what you can do to prepare. Steve is in a rare position to weigh in on these diverse topics as investor/advisor to so many rising entrepreneurs.""
—Dr. George Church, professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School, and professor of health sciences technology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard
""The Five Forces poses complex and profound questions about how technology is shaping our world and what will be the future of the human race. AI and robotics can bring enormous benefits for societies but can also be used for malicious purposes if falling into the wrong hands.""
—Dr. Irakli Beridze, head of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute
""A lucid and fascinating exposé of the myriad technologies and scientific breakthroughs that are already shaping our lives, and which will determine what kind of people we become in the next few decades. Utterly fascinating and essential easy reading.""
—Dr. David Levy, international chess master and author of more than 40 books on chess, AI, and computers
""Anyone who cares at least one ounce about the future must read this book. Wake up. Hoffman offers an entirely new perspective on what is about to happen in the world.""
—Dr. Sebastian Thrun, cofounder of Udacity, CEO of Kitty Hawk, and former director of the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Lab
""Steve Hoffman nails it! He identifies the science fiction that is becoming our new reality. A delightful run through a wild future of sentient AIs, cyborgs, transgenic animals, and designer babies. Read it!""
—Tim Draper, founder of DFJ, included in the Forbes ""Midas List of Top Venture Capitalists,"" AlwaysOn #1 Most Networked Venture Capitalist, and Worth magazine's ""100 Most Powerful People in Finance""
""An exciting whistle-stop tour of how technology will affect our future. This is right on the button in terms of accuracy and coverage. A brilliant book!""
—Dr. Kevin Warwick, professor of cybernetics at Coventry University
""Hoffman steps on the gas on page one and doesn't ease off until the last word. It's common knowledge how fast science and technology are accelerating, but this book forces you to feel the g-forces involved. Strap in and enjoy the ride.""
—Dr. Josh Bongard, Veinott Professor of Computer Science, University of Vermont
""In his trademark lively style, Steve Hoffman shines a light on the key technologies most likely to impact the future of humanity. If you want a knowledgeable tour guide to your future, hop on board and buckle up!""
—Dr. Jerry Kaplan, serial entrepreneur, lecturer at Stanford University, and author of Artificial Intelligence: What Everyone Needs to Know
""The Five Forces framework delivers an incredible itinerary of insights into our evolving future. It should be required reading for all innovators. Hoffman offers a unique invitation to discover how today's cutting-edge innovations drive our tomorrow.""
—Dr. Aimee Arnoldussen, innovation and commercialization specialist at Discovery to Product, UW Madison
""Thought provoking and insightful: Steve manages to provide a great overview of the technological disruptions happening in the world. The Five Forces is a great source for new ideas and business disruption.""
—Dr. Ott Velsberg, chief data officer at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Estonia
""A highly entertaining and informative book that explores the forces shaping our future and how these will transform our lives.""
—Dr. Steve Horvath, professor of human genetics at UCLA
""Steve Hoffman's book is the reminder that the future of humanity relies on the groundbreaking technology we have now. It is on us to decide what kind of world we want the future generations to live in.""
—Dr. Alysson R. Muotri, director of the Stem Cell Program at the Institute for Genomic Medicine, UC San Diego
""The Five Forces takes an intriguing look into the rapid evolution of technology that connects humans more intimately with technology, from technology inspired by biology to those that mimic biology.""
—Dr. Sharath Sriram, professor of engineering at RMIT University and chairman of Policy Committee of Science & Technology Australia
""The Five Forces is very thought provoking. It is an incredible glimpse into the future that suggests that emerging technologies could go very well or go very badly.""
—Gary Wishnatzki, cofounder of Harvest CROO Robotics
""The Five Forces provides a great summary of the most recent advances in AI, with a very focused and objective, yet creative, view of where we stand today. It outlines a futuristic, but also brutally honest, stance of where the five fundamental forces may drive humanity in the years to come.""
—Dr. Oggi Rudovic, machine learning researcher at MIT Media Lab
""Hoffman is that rare combination of the insider who brings the fierce curiosity of an Outsider's mindset to new worlds. Read The Five Forces to open your own thinking to the astounding developments that are already here, and around the corner!""
—Jonathan Littman, coauthor of the international bestsellers The Art of Innovation and Ten Faces of Innovation
""As a venture capitalist active in the United States and Asia, Steve Hoffman sees start-ups pitching him today what the future will look like tomorrow and shares this vision with us in this compelling book.""
—Andrew Romans, general partner at 7BC Venture Capital and author of The Entrepreneurial Bible to Venture Capital
""The questions raised in this book are probably the most important ones to deal with today, for the sake of our future. It is not about agreeing with Steve but allowing yourself to be taken on a full cycle of thinking so you can eventually make up your mind. Do it for yourself.""
—Liviu Babitz, cofounder and CEO of Cyborg Nest
""Hoffman's writing is at once brilliant and lucid, hitting home at a time in society when technology is transforming the world and impacting our lives more than ever.""
—Dr. Steve Mann, professor of electrical and computer engineering at University of Toronto, cocreator of the discipline of Humanistic Intelligence, along with Marvin Minsky and Ray Kurzweil, and cofounder of InteraXon and BlueberryX"
