‘Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI’ By Yuval Noah Harari

Yuval Noah Harari releases his latest book, NEXUS, on September 10, published by Random House. In this book, Yuval sounds an alarm on our future with Artificial Intelligence, making us question why, despite centuries of wisdom, humanity remains self-destructive.

Yuval Noah Harari published his first bestseller, “Sapiens”, with over 25 million copies worldwide followed by “Homo Deus”, where he presents his overview of humanity’s future. Essentially, “Nexus” is Yuval’s latest report from this space, where he warns that non-human intelligence, especially AI, poses a significant risk to human existence, making it essential to consider the ethical and societal implications of its development.

“When the tech giants set their hearts on designing better algorithms, they can usually do it,” he writes in the book.

Yuval encourages readers to reflect on the intricate relationship between information and truth, as well as the interplay of bureaucracy, mythology, wisdom, and power. He examines how various societies and political systems throughout history have utilised information to pursue their objectives—whether for positive or negative outcomes. 

He also highlights the critical decisions humanity now faces as non-human intelligence grows, posing significant existential risks to our future.

NEXUS: A closer look

In NEXUS, Yuval argues that democracies and dictatorships differ fundamentally in how they handle information. While democracies promote open networks where information can be corrected, dictatorships seek to control information to maintain power. This insight, though not entirely new, serves as a lens through which Yuval examines the modern world, particularly the rise of AI and its impact on society.

The second half of the book focuses on the risks AI presents. Yuval outlines the potential dangers of AI, not in the form of Hollywood’s dystopian fantasies, but in more subtle and insidious ways. For example, he discusses how social media algorithms can polarise public discourse by amplifying extreme content, as well as the danger of delegating human judgment to AI in legal, financial, or military decisions.

A notable observation Yuval makes is the “Silicon Curtain” that separates us from the algorithms shaping our world. He warns that if we do not act, we risk losing control over how we interact, govern, and make decisions as societies. Despite the dark predictions, NEXUS offers hope by pointing out past technological successes—such as the eradication of spam email—that demonstrate how humans can regain control when they focus on solving specific problems.

Yuval Noah Harari

Yuval Noah Harari, a historian and philosopher, first gained global attention with his bestselling book Sapiens, which traced the history of humanity from its origins to the present. His subsequent works, Homo Deus and 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, expanded on the themes of human progress, the future of our species, and the impact of technology. Yuval’s ability to distill complex ideas into accessible language has made him a thought leader on the future of humanity.

In NEXUS, Yuval continues his exploration of human history but shifts the focus towards the information age and the future implications of AI. His expertise in history allows him to draw parallels between past societal shifts and the current technological revolution, making NEXUS both a reflection on history and a call to action for the future.

Yuval remains a significant voice in discussions around AI, technology, and ethics, frequently advising world leaders and participating in global summits. His work continues to shape public discourse on how humanity can navigate the complex challenges ahead.

"Yuval Noah Harari has a unique ability to unite history’s finest details and its grandest megatrends in a single view. In this masterful and provocative new book, he makes a compelling case that information networks are—and always have been—the primary driving force shaping human societies. This deeply important book comes at a critical time as we all think through the implications of AI and automated content production." —Mustafa Suleyman.