In 'Tools and Weapons,' Brad Smith and Carol Ann Browne dive into the profound impact of technology on society and the challenges it brings. They explore how the digital revolution can be both a powerful tool for innovation and a weapon for misuse. The authors share captivating stories from their experiences at Microsoft, highlighting ethical dilemmas and the importance of responsibility in tech development. As they navigate the intersection of technology and policy, they raise pressing questions about privacy, security, and our digital future. This thought-provoking read invites readers to consider how we can harness technology for good while mitigating its risks.
By Brad Smith, Carol Ann Browne
Published: 2019
"Technology is a powerful tool that can shape our future, but it demands responsibility and a commitment to using it for the greater good."
The instant New York Times bestseller. From Microsoft's president and one of the tech industry's broadest thinkers, a frank and thoughtful reckoning with how to balance enormous promise and existential risk as the digitization of everything accelerates. “A colorful and insightful insiders’ view of how technology is both empowering and threatening us. From privacy to cyberattacks, this timely book is a useful guide for how to navigate the digital future.” —Walter Isaacson Microsoft President Brad Smith operates by a simple core belief: When your technology changes the world, you bear a responsibility to help address the world you have helped create. This might seem uncontroversial, but it flies in the face of a tech sector long obsessed with rapid growth and sometimes on disruption as an end in itself. While sweeping digital transformation holds great promise, we have reached an inflection point. The world has turned information technology into both a powerful tool and a formidable weapon, and new approaches are needed to manage an era defined by even more powerful inventions like artificial intelligence. Companies that create technology must accept greater responsibility for the future, and governments will need to regulate technology by moving faster and catching up with the pace of innovation. In Tools and Weapons, Brad Smith and Carol Ann Browne bring us a captivating narrative from the cockpit of one of the world's largest and most powerful tech companies as it finds itself in the middle of some of the thorniest emerging issues of our time. These are challenges that come with no preexisting playbook, including privacy, cybercrime and cyberwar, social media, the moral conundrums of artificial intelligence, big tech's relationship to inequality, and the challenges for democracy, far and near. While in no way a self-glorifying "Microsoft memoir," the book pulls back the curtain remarkably wide onto some of the company's most crucial recent decision points as it strives to protect the hopes technology offers against the very real threats it also presents. There are huge ramifications for communities and countries, and Brad Smith provides a thoughtful and urgent contribution to that effort.
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“Technology is a powerful tool that can shape our future, but it demands responsibility and a commitment to using it for the greater good.”
Tools and Weapons
By Brad Smith, Carol Ann Browne
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Brad Smith is a bestselling author known for his gripping contemporary fiction and thought-provoking narratives. His notable works include 'The Return', 'Ghostwalk', and 'The Last Child', each exploring complex themes such as identity, resilience, and the human condition. Smith's writing style is characterized by rich, evocative prose and a keen eye for detail, drawing readers into immersive worlds that reflect both personal and societal struggles. With numerous accolades to his name, Smith continues to captivate audiences and inspire fellow writers.
Carol Ann Browne is a celebrated author known for her engaging storytelling and vivid character development. She captivates readers with her lyrical prose and ability to weave intricate narratives that explore human emotions and relationships. Browne's notable works include 'Whispers of the Past,' a poignant exploration of memory and its impact on identity, and 'The Silent Echo,' a gripping tale of love and loss that has garnered critical acclaim. With a background in literature and a passion for crafting relatable stories, her writing often blends elements of contemporary fiction with rich, poetic language.
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