The Second Machine Age: Work, Progress, and Prosperity in a Time of Brilliant Technologies

In 'The Second Machine Age,' Brynjolfsson and McAfee explore how recent technological advancements are reshaping our economy and society. This compelling narrative reveals the promise and perils of an age powered by artificial intelligence and automation. As machines become capable of tasks once thought exclusive to humans, what does this mean for the future of work? The authors challenge us to rethink prosperity in a digital landscape where creativity and collaboration become paramount. Join them on a thought-provoking journey into the heart of a transformative era.

By Andrew McAfee, Erik Brynjolfsson

Published: 2014

"'We are at the dawn of a new era, where technology is not just an enabler of progress but a transformational force that reshapes the very fabric of our economy and society.'"

The Second Machine Age: Work, Progress, and Prosperity in a Time of Brilliant TechnologiesBook binding

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What Readers Say About This Book

The big stories -- The skills of the new machines : technology races ahead -- Moore's law and the second half of the chessboard -- The digitization of just about everything -- Innovation : declining or recombining? -- Artificial and human intelligence in the second machine age -- Computing bounty -- Beyond GDP -- The spread -- The biggest winners : stars and superstars -- Implications of the bounty and the spread -- Learning to race with machines : recommendations for individuals -- Policy recommendations -- Long-term recommendations -- Technology and the future (which is very different from "technology is the future").

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Key Points from The Second Machine Age: Work, Progress, and Prosperity in a Time of Brilliant Technologies

About the Authors

A

Andrew McAfee

Andrew McAfee is a renowned author, researcher, and thought leader in the fields of technology and business. He is best known for his influential books, including 'The Second Machine Age', co-authored with Erik Brynjolfsson, which explores how digital technologies are transforming work and society. His other notable works include 'Machine, Platform, Crowd: Harnessing Our Digital Future', which examines the interplay between physical and digital goods. McAfee's writing style is characterized by clear, insightful analysis and a compelling narrative that makes complex concepts accessible to a broad audience. As a principal research scientist at the MIT Sloan School of Management, he focuses on the impact of emerging technologies on business and the economy.

E

Erik Brynjolfsson

Erik Brynjolfsson is a renowned author, speaker, and academic best known for his insights on the intersection of technology and business. He is the co-author of the influential books "The Second Machine Age: Work, Progress, and Prosperity in a Time of Brilliant Technologies" and "Machine, Platform, Crowd: Harnessing Our Digital Future," both of which explore the implications of digital technologies on society and the economy. Brynjolfsson's writing is characterized by a blend of rigorous academic research and accessible prose, making complex ideas comprehensible and relevant to a broad audience. A thought leader in the field of digital economics, he serves as the director of the MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy and has published numerous articles in prestigious journals.

Book Details

Key information about the book.

Authors
Andrew McAfee, Erik Brynjolfsson
Published
January 2014
Publisher
W. W. Norton & Company
ISBN
0393239357
Language
English
Pages
320
Genres
Business and EconomicsEconomic PolicyArtificial IntelligenceTechnologyEmerging Technologies

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'We are at the dawn of a new era, where technology is not just an enabler of progress but a transformational force that reshapes the very fabric of our economy and society.'

The Second Machine Age: Work, Progress, and Prosperity in a Time of Brilliant Technologies

By Andrew McAfee, Erik Brynjolfsson

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