Silicon Valley Reads is set to commence on January 30 with a dual-format event that will take place both in person and via live stream at De Anza College in Cupertino. Sal Pizarro from The Mercury News will moderate an insightful discussion featuring the authors of the three selected books.
This annual programme, which fosters community engagement through literature, has adopted the theme "Empowering Humanity: Technology for a Better World." The chosen titles delve into the broad implications of artificial intelligence, offering varying perspectives on its impact on society and human relationships.
One of the highlighted works is "The Worlds I See: Curiosity, Exploration, and Discovery at the Dawn of AI" by Dr. Fei-Fei Li, who has recently been referred to as “The Godmother of AI” by Wired Magazine. In her book, she shares her personal journey alongside insights into the development and future potential of artificial intelligence.
Another featured title is "The Mountain in the Sea," a science fiction novel penned by former Santa Clara University professor Ray Nayler. This narrative centres around a marine biologist who is investigating a highly intelligent species of octopus, initiating a competitive international effort to understand and potentially exploit this newfound intelligence.
Lastly, "Loneliness and Company," authored by Charlee Dyroff, is set in a near-future New York, where social isolation has been virtually eliminated. The storyline follows a woman who is responsible for training an artificial intelligence companion, exploring themes that touch upon connection in an increasingly technologically driven society.
Silicon Valley Reads is a collaborative effort by the Santa Clara County Library District, the Santa Clara County Office of Education, and the San José Public Library. Registration for the kickoff event is available at siliconvalleyreads.org, where attendees can also find a comprehensive schedule of related events, anticipated to be released by mid-January.
Source: Noah Wire Services