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Yuval Noah Harari's "Nexus" explores the history of information networks from ancient times to the present AI revolution, arguing that information, rather than Homo sapiens, has been the true hero of history. The book traces how humans have organized and interpreted information, highlighting the inherent ambivalence of information – its capacity for both truth and order, and its potential for both good and ill. While acknowledging the transformative power of past information revolutions (language, writing, printing press, etc.), Harari expresses significant concern about the unprecedented nature and potential consequences of artificial intelligence and its integration into information networks. Reviewers offer varied perspectives, with some praising Harari's broad historical sweep and thought-provoking insights, while others criticize his lack of rigor, tendency towards apocalyptic predictions, and oversimplification of complex issues. A central theme revolves around the tension between truth and order within information networks and how AI could disrupt this delicate balance, potentially leading to unforeseen and potentially harmful societal transformations.

Harari posits that information networks are fundamental to human society and have shaped its evolution from the Stone Age to the present. He examines various forms of these networks, including language, mythology, bureaucracy, religious texts, the printing press, scientific papers, mass media, and the internet.

The book argues that understanding the historical development of these networks is crucial for comprehending the impact of AI. As one reviewer notes, the book discusses "various information network (language, mythology, bureaucracy, religious texts, printing press, scientific research papers, news media, radio, internet, etc.) invented and used by humans from the Stone Age."

Harari contends that the "true hero of history has always beeYuval Noah Harari - Overview and Analysisn information, rather than Homo sapiens." A reviewer critiques this, stating, "Neîndoielnic, Homo sapiens are many sins, but cannot be dethroned from the position of 'hero of history'."
A key theme is the inherent duality of information, which can be used to promote both truth and order, but often exists in tension between the two.

The example of the NILI spy ring during World War I illustrates this ambivalence: "So, when is a shutter just a shutter, and when is it information?" The coded message conveyed by the shutter was vital information understood only by a select few, while appearing as an ordinary object to others. Similarly, "the pigeon itself was crucial information" for the Ottomans, even before they deciphered the message.

The role of astrology is presented as another example of information with historical significance despite its questionable accuracy: "A theory of information that cannot account for the historical significance of astrology is clearly inadequate." Astrology connected people and even empires, demonstrating that information's power doesn't solely rely on factual truth.

Harari distinguishes between objective, subjective, and intersubjective realities. The caloric value of pizza is objective, while the financial value of money (and pizzas) is intersubjective, "depending on the stories people told and believed about bitcoin." Intersubjective entities like laws, gods, and currencies are "extremely powerful within a particular information network and utterly meaningless outside it."

The book highlights the complementary nature of "lists and stories." "National myths legitimise the tax records, while the tax records help transform aspirational stories into concrete schools and hospitals."

he latter part of the book focuses on AI, which Harari considers an unprecedented information technology. One reviewer highlights that "the main subject of this book is 'Artificial Intelligence'."

Harari emphasizes that unlike previous information technologies, "computers are already becoming active agents that escape our control and understanding and that can take initiatives in shaping society, culture and history."

He argues that AI's intelligence differs fundamentally from human consciousness and emotions: "But the most important (and worrying) thing is that artificial intelligence does not care about these human qualities at all! In fact, it does not want to be 'human'! It only wants to remain Artificial! It only wants to be INTELLIGENT!" For AI, "intelligent" means relying more on information than emotion.

AI excels at gathering and analyzing information to find patterns, making it exceptionally efficient: "('Flooding people with data tends to overwhelm them and therefore leads to errors, flooding AI with data tends to make it more efficient.')" This capability has already led to AI surpassing human abilities in areas like Go.