AI technology seems to be coming at us from all corners, but do you understand it? I didn’t. “Supremacy” tells the story of how the race to launch generative AI (you’ll learn what that is) developed between two main parties. Olson writes in a narrative style that isn’t quite a thriller, but it kept me engaged, and left me much more informed about the tech that is changing our world.

✨Supremacy: AI, ChatGPT, and the Race that Will Change the World by Parmy Olson✨

Genre: Non-Fiction/Tech
Pages: 336

📚In November 2022, a webpage was posted online with a simple text box. It was ChatGPT, and was unlike any app people had used before. It was more human than a customer service agent, more convenient than a Google search. Behind the scenes, battles for control and prestige between the world’s two leading AI firms, OpenAI and DeepMind, who now steers Google’s AI efforts, has remained elusive—until now.

In Supremacy, Olson, tech writer at Bloomberg, tells the astonishing story of the battle between these two AI firms, their struggles to use their tech for good, and the hazardous direction they could go as they serve two tech monopolies whose power is unprecedented in history. The story focuses on the continuing rivalry of two key CEOs at the center of it all, who cultivated a religion around their mission to build god-like super intelligent machines: Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, and Demis Hassabis, the CEO of DeepMind.

Supremacy sharply alerts Listners to the real threat of artificial intelligence that its top creators are ignoring: the profit-driven spread of flawed and biased technology into industries, education, media and more. With exclusive access to a network of high-ranking sources, Parmy Olson uses her 13 years of experience covering technology to bring to light the exploitation of the greatest invention in human history, and how it will impact us all.

📝This was a great read about the two men who have created quite the storm in the tech industry: Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, and Demis Hassabis, the CEO of DeepMind.

Although this book is non-fiction & focused on AI, I thought it was written in a way that was accessible to everyone.

💫Thank you @stmartinspress @netgalley for my egalley💫

Thank you to the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review: It is so hard to review a book like this. All I have to say is p (doom) 100. If you read the book you know.

Okay but really, this felt like a thriller and I couldn't put it down. Turns out it's real life. There are so many fascinating things about AI, how we got here and where we are going. It's both exciting and horrifying. The main problem that is going to impact AI and it's development and what we allow it to do is going to be greed. I think if you are at all interested in AI and ChatGBT you should pick this book up. I don't read a lot of non-fiction (I am a work in progress) and I loved this. It's well written but also sticks to the facts. I just think this is a very important novel for our time. Highly, highly, recommend this book.

A book that made me think and learn more about the world of AI and what's next.
Well researched and thought provoking.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own

Occasionally, I wish to reassure people that I don't just read dark retellings and dinosaur erotica. AI and ChatGPT are among the most talked about subjects these days, I felt that I would like to read more about them. Although informative, I still felt like I was hearing what I already knew.

Let me explain.

First, Parmy Olson sets the stage for how AI made its appearance. Understandably, humankind has always wanted to push the limits of what we have discovered and see how far it can take us. Then there are the creators who wish to help cure the societal issues that plague us to make a more balanced planet. Less fighting and more peace.

It may sound like a utopian dream but I am willing to "buy" into the tale and see where the narrative is heading.

Secondly, we are introduced to the big names of Silicon Valley(Facebook, Microsoft, Google etc) and how they begin playing the game. It is a tale of a lot of people who have a mission to make money, lots of money. Unfortunately, it shows that in the end, big dreams clash with the almighty dollar.

Lastly, there is a very brief look at the ramifications of AI and ChatGPT or at least how it will impact the USA. I found this disappointing as I would have loved to hear more about the positive and negative implications on a global scale.


My takeaway from the book was that we will wait and see what happens. I suppose, in a sense, that is all we can ask for but I was hoping for just a little bit more.

Overall, it was a well-researched book and sparked a desire to read more on this topic.


Publication Date 10/09/24
Goodreads Review 29/09/24

Real Rating: 4.5* of five

I urge you to read this book. It does not matter what your politics are, It especially does not matter if you care even a scintilla about technology. This is not a book about the way these...<I>people</I>, I must be polite...are making their dream of an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_general_intelligence">AGI</a> happen, it's about the people doing it, the people giving them the money to do it, and how all of those pieces of a complicated puzzle are failing to do a good job for Humanity. It's important to know what is happening, you are already getting "AI-assisted" stuff advertised to you and no smallest advisory, still less a warning, about what that means.

I <I>strongly</I> urge you to read this book. Before the election if possible, but soon no matter what.

Please.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Parmy Olson’s “Supremacy” is a riveting exploration of the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, focusing on the intense rivalry between two of the world’s leading AI firms, OpenAI and DeepMind. This book is a deep dive into the technological, ethical, and societal implications of AI, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the future of technology.

Olson, a seasoned tech journalist, brings her extensive experience to the forefront, providing readers with an insider’s view of the AI landscape. The narrative is engaging and informative, shedding light on the personalities and ambitions driving the AI revolution.

She provides a nuanced perspective that encourages readers to think critically about the role of AI in our lives and the responsibilities of those who develop it.

The book is well-structured, with each chapter building on the previous one to create a comprehensive picture of the AI landscape. Olson’s writing is clear and accessible, making complex topics understandable without oversimplifying them. “Supremacy” is suitable for tech enthusiasts and general readers who are curious about AI.

“Supremacy” is a thought-provoking and timely book that offers valuable insights into the world of AI. Parmy Olson has crafted a compelling narrative that not only informs but also challenges readers to consider the broader implications of AI technology.

Whether you’re a tech aficionado or simply interested in the future of our digital world, “Supremacy” is a book that should not be missed

4.5 stars

The subheading tells you generally what this is about, but it also includes some biographical information on two people who were working on getting AI to where it is today. They both wanted to use AI for the good of humanity and didn’t want it to be abused or used for ill. Of course, given the amount of computing power needed to get AI “ready” for the world, they both ultimately sold out to large companies, Google and Microsoft. They both tried to include restrictions (like an independent ethics board, for example) to prevent it from going sour, but here we are...

I thought this was very interesting. I found it particularly interesting to find Elon Musk so involved, particularly in the “ethics” side of things. Though there was a difference explained between AI ethics and AI safety. Elon Musk ended up promoting the “safety” side of things. I didn’t know about that part of the AI controversy, but apparently there are a bunch of people who legitimately think AI will annihilate humans in some way, shape, or form, Musk being one of them. So they formed organizations to help prevent that. On the more frustrating side was the part I did know about: the ethics – the racism, sexism, made up information/citations, etc. Frustrating in that there were (at least initially) people hired to help prevent this, but (without saying too much in my review), that just didn’t pan out. I have read a bit about AI, and at work (I’m a librarian), AI has become a big topic, so not everything was new to me.

Everything you want to know about the new AI chatbots and the creators behind them are detailed in Supremacy.

The book begins with the biographies of OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman, and DeepMind CEO, Demis Hassabis. Both begin with altruistic views of saving, or at least, helping, mankind. But the massive amounts of money in Silicon Valley as well as their own egos, soon change their focus to winning the war for users. Then tech giants, Microsoft and Google, jump in with offers impossible to refuse. By November 2022 the battle is on, with very few guardrails for privacy, misinformation or even old standbys like sexism and racism. How society responds will determine our future. Will it be the utopia of Star Trek? The hell of The Terminator? Or something in between?

Supremacy is an important book to read. It doesn’t particularly push whether AI will ultimately be good or bad for society. Government, on both sides of the aisle, are concerned. However, bureaucracy moves slowly. All people should decide for themselves and this book will give them some important information to help. 5 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an advanced review copy.

A very informative deep dive into Ai how it was created the people groups involved. Perfect for anyone wanting to learn about Ai a topic difficult to grasp at times.#netgalley #st.martins

This book was so informative about the AI landscape and how all the companies formed. It was surprising to see all the intricacies and how each the companies aligned in order to remain afloat. It also was a reminder of how an idea always ends up being absorbed by other companies with their own specific motives. A very interesting read that I would recommend to those interested or curious about the AI space.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for arc.

The theme of this book is a major: "hopefully they use their powers for good instead of evil." Technology has almost become as vital as air and while there are a lot of good aspects, there are also the negatives and concerns of what it will become in the future. This book gives a good detailing of some of the history between OpenAI and DeepMind as well as their founders.

***ARC received from St. Martins Press and NetGalley in exchange for honest review, opinions are all my own. Thank you!***

Supremacy lays out the story of two companies, OpenAI and DeepMind and their founders Sam Altman and Demis Hassabis in their quest to create a state of the art AI program that can.

OpenAI is a US company in Silicon Valley so I had more knowledge and information about them and Altman so I found it more interesting to learn about Hassabi and DeepMind located in London. Hassabi has a really interesting take on how to create and train an AI program tending seeing how his history in gaming has influenced him. I do appreciate how he really stuck to his beliefs even if it put him right at the front of the race.

I found it fascinating how both of these companies really started with great ideology but as with anything that comes with technology they need money. Even those that really believe in what they are doing aren’t going to turn down that big pay check when big tech comes knocking with all the right sales pitches. For both companies that seemed to think they could stay one step ahead of the game they easily fell victim to the promises. Big tech like Google, Microsoft and Meta did not get where they were without being cutthroat in how they controlled, bought out or simply drove into bankruptcy the smaller companies that didn’t fall in line with them. At the heart of everything is the drive to make as much money as they can for their shareholders and it was interesting to see how these companies thought they could play against the big guys and come out as winners especially when they took money from big tech to advance their research. But that is the reality that the book lays out on tech, ideology will always get lost when it comes to money.

The writing is good but at times it can tend to get a little heavy in details. The author is a journalist and that really shows in her writing styles, at times feeling like an extended article and at others like a detail heavy research paper. It can cause some of the sections to fill a little stale and hard to get there. Plus with all the abbreviations and names and company names it can get a little overwhelming for a a reader just starting to dip their toes into the world of AI technology. I think if you had been studying this or at least were more familiar with many of these companies wouldn’t feel as overwhelming of a read. It doesn’t take away at all from the book, she does a great job of bringing the history of AI and the companies into a book that is still approachable for the everyday reader. It also never felt like she was trying to be all doom and gloom, nor cast one company as better than the other. It was a fair look at each company and their approach to how they got to where we are today. Even the big tech companies were cast fair, even if in a little more harsh light but thats just the truth of how the big tech companies like Google and Microsoft have evolved from their earlier ideas.

I wish there had been more coverage about the severe issues that comes along with AI. While it is covered with some fascinating women that are working to call out the sexism and racism that can be found in AI I feel like it could have done more. It does a well enough job pointing out how these companies are feeding the program with data from Reddit of all places. Not a surprise that the programs start to spew out racism, the program will only be as good as the human data it is fed and humans are deeply flawed individuals. Not to mention the ethical issues that have arisen in generative AI having stolen from authors and artists in order to learn how to create that companies like OpenAI, Google and Microsoft have been less than forthcoming on.

Supremacy is a fascinating look at the history of the companies that helped build AI. Its also a bit of a reminder that AI is a very powerful tool in the hands of people that may not have consumers best interest at heart and we as consumers need to hold them responsible in how it continues to be used.

Supremacy sharply alerts readers to the real threat of artificial intelligence that its top creators are ignoring: the profit-driven spread of flawed and biased technology into industries, education, media and more.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press & Macmillan Audio for both of my ARCs of this book! I don’t know anything about AI. I don’t follow any sort of news that has to do with AI. I’ve only played around with AI for fun so I didn’t think I would like this book very much but I liked this book. I found it very interesting hearing about how AI was created and I liked learning about the tech startups. I would recommend this book if you want to learn about AI and tech startups.

This book isn’t what I expected. It’s more biography than anything else. It’s engaging, but I just don’t care enough about these two CEOs to keep reading. DNF.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Sept. 10, 2024
Parmy Olson is a Bloomberg journalist who mostly writes on the technology industry, especially the influence of A.I. Her previous novel, “We Are Anonymous: Inside the Hacker World of LulzSec, Anonymous, and the Global Cyber Insurgency” was written in 2012, so it has been a hot minute since Olson has journeyed into the non-fiction book world. With the ever-increasing popularity (and polarity) of AI in society, it is no surprise that this is the topic of Olson’s new work, “Supremacy: AI, ChatGPT and the Race that will Change the World”.
“Supremacy” covers just about everything you need to know about the AI and tech industries. Olson covers the various creations that led AI to what it is today, making sure to highlight the creators themselves, as well as the tight and tense competition to create the best AI model. Like most inventions, the creators wanted to create AI to help contribute to some of the downfalls of society and use AI for good. But, as anyone who has seen “Terminator” knows, AI has some naysayers that fear for what an aware and cognisant AI could lead to. Olson doesn’t really go into too many of the details regarding the downfalls of AI, because they’re pretty obvious, but does ensure to keep the negative, as well as the positive, aspects of AI in the forefront of reader’s minds
Like most small businesses, the initial plan was hopeful, using technology to bring positive change to a broken world. However, this was quickly brushed aside when the big wallets of investors from Microsoft and Google came along, pitting AI creators against each other in order to beat the other tech company to the punch. The fact that these two companies, two of the most powerful and richest in the world, were so focused on winning the race that they overlooked AI’s initial purpose, should be a surprise to no one, but it was interesting to read about the behind-the-scenes manipulation that both companies played equal parts in.
Olson cannot name all of her sources as a result of the powerful legal muscle of said companies, so there is a lot of “seen by someone who was there” and “as overheard by someone close to the company”, which sounds very tabloid-like. But there are very clear reasons for this and Olson even explains it herself in the afterword and to be honest, after reading this story I wouldn’t want to take on Google or Microsoft either.
“Supremacy” is an investigative look behind-the-scenes at how AI became so relevant, where it is today and what it could possibly do in the future. A must-read for tech nerds or anyone who just wants to understand a little more about this very important modern issue.

Strong 4.5 stars

Get me off this planet.

Synopsis: Tech writer Parmy Olson explores the battle between two leading artificial intelligence firms, OpenAI (ChatGPT) and DeepMind, and their CEOs. Supremacy discusses the potential dangers of AI, their current and potential effects on society, and a history lesson on major tech firms and where they are today.

What I liked: I’m new to AI, mostly knowledgeable of what makes the news headlines. This was a great look at the past, present and potential future with artificial intelligence from a well-researched, informative point of view.

What I disliked: Not so much as a dislike, but there are (obviously) a lot of tech-heavy terms and ideas, and sometimes they can be dry to read through. No fault to the author, but this was chilling and somewhat terrifying.

This book is for you if… you’re interested in technology and both the benefits and risks of AI.

Thank you to #NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of #Supremacy.

Comprehensive and thorough treatment of how AI started, the geniuses behind it, and how corporate nonsense is damaging its potential. Recommended.

“The idea of an extinction threat from AI was becoming a fixture in public discourse, so much so that you could bring it up with your in-laws at dinner and they’d be nodding along at its importance,” as Parmy Olson writes in this timely and important book. But she claims that this whole “AI doom” narrative is only a deliberate distraction, designed to divert our attention from real problems that machine learning algorithms were causing, such as reinforcement of bias and growing influence of Big Tech.

To make her case, the author uses parallel biographies of two of the most important players in the field: Sam Altman, the creator of OpenAI, and Demis Hassabis, the CEO of DeepMind. Their stories sound disturbingly familiar: they begin with high ideals and talk of creating a better world, and end with a lack of transparency and dominance by the largest technology companies. Wasn't Facebook also purportedly created to connect people? And Google’s motto was “don’t be evil”?

“Imagine if a pharmaceutical company released a new drug with no clinical trials and said it was testing the medication on the wider public. Or a food company released an experimental preservative with little scrutiny. That was how large tech firms were about to start deploying large language models to the public, because in their race to profit from such powerful tools, there were zero regulatory standards to follow”, writes Olson.

As we are on the verge of an AI revolution, it is very important to know what we are dealing with. This book provides plenty of facts and some very strong arguments, so I would urge everyone to read it.

Thanks to the publisher, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

You will get to know all the big shots of AI, OpenAI and how they solve problems. I try to keep up with a bit of AI news with Dwarkesh's podcast, so some names were familiar. The book does a good job of showing the human side and their desires to make this powerful machine thing.