Nexus

Books spread great ideas, but also myths. Algorithms made our work easier, and then turned us against each other. What will artificial intelligence cause now?

The most-read historian of our time examines how information flows have shaped the world: from the Stone Age through the canonisation of the Bible, witch hunts, Stalinism, and Nazism to the current rise of populism and AI.

Harari shows that humanity has gained immense power by building vast information networks. He explains how different societies and political systems have used them to achieve their goals and consolidate order. And why today's information revolution is radically different—and much more dangerous—than any that came before. What choices present humanity with the existential risk of a tireless but fallible AI?

If we don't talk to each other and consider each other enemies rather than political rivals, democracy is unsustainable. But a path back to reason, freedom, and responsibility exists—if we know how to find it.

In the book, you will learn, among other things:
The belief that the free flow of information automatically leads to truth does not correspond to reality.
Our tendency to create powerful entities without thought did not begin with AI, but with the invention of religion. A new kind of power is emerging, one that cannot easily be held accountable: the algorithm bears no consequences for its decisions.
Industrial empires exploited and oppressed their colonies, and it would be foolish to expect new digital empires to behave any better.
Thanks to self-correcting mechanisms, democracies will be more resilient to the risks of AI than dictatorial regimes.

We are currently living through the greatest information revolution in human history. To manage it, we must understand what preceded it. Let yourself be captivated by the thrilling narrative and convincing arguments of the renowned historian.