AIC Global Book Club: Goliath’s Curse - Part 1
ABOUT THE BOOK CLUB
This is the first session of the AI Collective Global Book Club, discussing Goliath’s Curse by Luke Kemp.
The book examines how large power structures form, how they make decisions at scale, and why they tend to fail over time.
Rather than treating collapse as an endpoint, it focuses on the recurring dynamics that produce it.
Those questions matter more as AI increases coordination, leverage, and institutional complexity.
WHAT WE WILL DO
This session covers: Introduction and Part 1 (Dawns and Ends).
We will focus on a small number of ideas rather than trying to summarize the text.
The goal is to understand the patterns Kemp describes and pressure test them against modern AI systems, institutions, and governance.
You do not need to finish the reading to participate. Familiarity helps.
Curiosity matters more.
If you have not finished the reading, you can use Chappy's notes as a helpful assistant.
PLANNED SESSIONS
Jan 27, Intro and Part One (Dawns and Ends)
Feb, Part Two (Imperial March and Fall), date to be confirmed
Mar, Part Three (Endgame) and Epilogue, date to be confirmed
Additional sessions will be confirmed based on interest and availability.
FORMAT
This is a virtual, discussion focused session.
Attendance may be limited to keep the conversation productive. If interest exceeds capacity, we will schedule follow on sessions.
GET THE BOOK
If you plan to purchase the book, you can use the AI Collective Bookshop link below.
Purchases through this link help support future AI Collective programming at no additional cost to you.
https://bookshop.org/shop/aicollective
Please be advised: Unfortunately, space is very limited at these community events and we can not always accept everyone we would like to. If you are not accepted to this event, please keep applying! We appreciate your application tremendously and we are looking forward to seeing you at a future event very soon!
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