Synopsis
Winner of the Financial Times Business Book of the Year Award
The astonishing story of the people fighting to control the future of generative artificial intelligence – and, therefore, the future of humanity. From award-winning journalist Parmy Olson.
Two titans of Silicon Valley, Microsoft and Google, rushed to embrace artificial intelligence. Microsoft entered a strategic partnership with OpenAI, creator of ChatGPT. Google acquired DeepMind. Together, they now had the resources of the two leading AI companies in the world - and, with it, the potential for unlimited riches.
But what is the cost of this arms race?
Who will win out between Demis Hassabis (Google DeepMind) and Sam Altman (Open AI)?
And, as we outsource ever more to this technology, what will be left for humans to do?
Featuring a cast of larger-than-life characters, from Elon Musk and Peter Thiel to Mark Zuckerberg and Sergey Brin, Supremacy is a story of ambition, exploitation and secrecy, as gripping as any thriller.
With exclusive access to sources at the top of the industry, Supremacy is your essential guide to the history – and the future – of the greatest invention of our time.
'Astonishing' - Financial Times
'A compelling warning' - The Times
'A riveting tale . . . Olson is a compelling storyteller' - New Scientist
Details
31 July 2025
9781035038244Reviews
A clear and compelling read about one of the most consequential races in the world – the invention of artificial general intelligence – filled with surprising and juicy details about the powerful men at the heart of it. The deep research in Supremacy reveals startling news and facts as yet unreported about two of the world’s most scrutinized companiesMadhumita Murgia, bestselling author of Code Dependent and AI Editor for the Financial Times
Fantastic . . . I just couldn't recommend it moreFi Glover, broadcaster and journalist
Supremacy makes the topic of artificial intelligence approachable and entertaining by telling the human stories of the people building AI companies. There is never a dull moment in this gripping bookArvind Narayanan, bestselling author of AI Snake Oil and Professor of Computer Science at Princeton University
Money, power, and a [Faustian] bargain that may change the world frame this timely and deeply researched account of two of the biggest players in the race to AIGary Marcus, bestselling author of Taming Silicon Valley and Professor Emeritus at New York University
