Books by Harry (Cardiff University) Collins

Recent startling successes in machine intelligence using a technique called 'deep learning' seem to blur the line between human and machine as never before. Are computers on the cusp of becoming so intelligent that they will render humans obsolete? Harry Collins argues we are getting ahead of ourselves, caught up in images of a fantastical future dreamt up in fictional portrayals. The greater present danger is that we lose sight of the very real limitations of artificial intelligence and readily enslave ourselves to stupid computers: the 'Surrender'.By dissecting the intricacies of language use and meaning, Collins shows how far we have to go before we cannot distinguish between the social understanding of humans and computers. When the stakes are so high, we need to set the bar higher: to rethink 'intelligence' and recognize its inherent social basis. Only if machine learning succeeds on this count can we congratulate ourselves on having produced artificial intelligence.

We live in times of increasing public distrust of the main institutions of modern society. Experts, including scientists, are suspected of working to hidden agendas or serving vested interests.

Brings to life science's efforts to detect cosmic gravitational waves. This title offers readers an unprecedented view of gravitational wave research and explains what it means for an analyst to do work of this kind.

To ordinary people, science used to seem infallible. Scientists were heroes, selflessly pursuing knowledge for the common good. More recently, a series of scientific scandals, frauds and failures have led us to question science s pre-eminence.

Explores some of the mysteries and complexities of medicine while untangling the inherent conundrums of scientific research and highlighting its vagaries. This book considers the prevalence of tonsillectomies, the placebo effect and randomized control trials, bogus doctors, efficacy of vitamin C in fighting cancer and the chronic fatigue syndrome.

In theory, at least, gravitational waves do exist. The author argues that sciences like gravitational wave detection, in exemplifying how the intractable is to be handled, can offer scientific leadership a moral beacon for the twenty-first century. In the end, he shows that discoveries are the denouements of dramatic scientific mysteries.

What does it mean to be an expert? This book offers a fresh perspective on the role of expertise in the practice of science and the public evaluation of technology.