Groups can accomplish fare more than any of us can on our own and with the growth of technology, humans now have a powerful new partner in forward thinking. See how we're learning to combine our powers with computers for better outcomes in Superminds: The Surprising Power of People and Computers Thinking Together by Thomas W. Malone.

There's strength in thinking in numbers. The way people join together to create groups and accomplish even bigger things is the focus of Superminds, by founding director of the MIT Center for Collective Intelligence, Thomas W. Malone.

So what is a supermind? They're the groups largely responsible for all major change throughout the world. Powerful groups that dictate business, science, government, and much more.

When exploring the different types of superminds, Malone breaking them down into four group types:

Hierarchies
Markets
Democracies
Communities

Each has their own structure, with their abilities and influence explored in detail. Examples of their abilities are included and we see the specialties and power of these four types.

Once superminds have been defined, we take a look at how these groups are being even more empowered through modern technology. Possibilities for the future make it clear that just like every other area of life, tech will be truly transformative for group work.

How groups will work with artificial intelligence (AI) is a topic touched on, but while many see the AI passing us by, the author brushes it off with little thought. He doesn't believe that machines will ever outpace man. Most potential problems aren't addressed fully and simply mentioned as being of little concern.

The author's own Climate CoLab is used as an example numerous times throughout the book. While examples are great, it almost becomes a sales pitch as he constantly talks about his own project and how it has potential to bring about change for humanity.

There were also times when it seemed the book was being stretched out, with little reason for the added wording. Repetition of the same concept over again and extra example cases that added little value to the story. The book could have been axed without loss to the overall exploration of Superminds.

There's no doubt that technology will continue to take us places we'd never imagined. Through our growing partnerships with tech and ability to blend human strengths with those of machines, we'll create a future far beyond what we could create on our own.