The Coming Wave: AI, Technology, and Psychology

 

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for a review of the book by Suleyman

The Coming Wave 

CITE this review: 

Sutton, G. W. (2025). The coming wave: AI, technology, and psychology. Interdisciplinary Book and Film Reviews.

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REVIEWER: Geoffrey W. Sutton

Book Summary

We are waist deep in the ocean and laughing as playful waves knock us over and give us a short ride toward the shore on a hot summer’s day. We know the warnings about undertows but scattered along the shore are our safe-keepers-- lifeguards armed with whistles and small boats. Suleyman warns us that the coming wave of artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology will not just devastate our shorelines but wreak havoc on our infrastructure and even our way of life unless we accept his challenge to construct a formidable bulwark to keep the powerful sources at bay.

Suleyman's argument is compellingly structured around four defining traits of the coming technological wave:

Asymmetry: Power is shifting toward smaller actors, undermining traditional gatekeepers like nation-states.

Hyper-evolution: The pace of technological change is exponential, outstripping the adaptability of our institutions.

Omni-use: The technologies are versatile—capable of solving global problems or amplifying global risks.

Autonomy: Systems increasingly operate without human input, raising accountability concerns.

The author’s retrospective tour of past technological marvels sets a poignant stage for today's astonishing advances. What once seemed like science fiction is now standard equipment in many fields, yet with this progress comes heightened vulnerability. Suleyman does not dwell in dystopia but proposes a strategic 10-point plan to mitigate potential harms, including rigorous audits, inviting participation from critics, the inclusion of ethical guidelines, the cultivation of a fail-embracing culture, and the formation of international AI alliances.

Comments on The Coming Wave

During my formative years, I witnessed significant advancements in technology, marked by the era when global powers conducted megaton nuclear weapons tests, and safety measures for children were wooden desks and the flimsy walls of old schoolhouses. As an early adopter of both business and consumer technologies, I found The Coming Wave to be a valuable overview that reflects on recent technological progress and outlines the essential steps needed to effectively leverage these innovations for societal benefit while mitigating potential risks.

Since publication, the development of technology has continued to present both potential risks and benefits. AI is being used in various fields such as art, music, video production, writing, and vehicle technology. Recently, Microsoft issued a global alert regarding a cyberattack on collaboration software affecting governments, universities, and other users. During the first half of this year, several nations have deployed advanced drones in military operations. The integration of AI with drones enables them to identify targets and perform autonomous tasks.

As a psychologist, I see technology advancing brain-behavior research through new imaging tools and big data analysis, leading to improved mental health care, workplace environments, and access for underserved populations. Clinicians could save time by using data-driven insights for diagnosis and treatment planning. However, ensuring data security and maintaining ethical oversight remain essential.

Since the publication of The Coming Wave, researchers have studied chat therapy (e.g., Hatch et al., 2025; Kuhail et al., 2024, Ophir et al., 2025; Spytska, 2025). AI chat therapy has the potential to provide broad access to available and cost-effective supportive or supplemental therapy but does not appear ready to replace human services.

REFERENCES

Hatch SG, Goodman ZT, Vowels L, Hatch HD, Brown AL, Guttman S, et al. (2025) When ELIZA meets therapists: A Turing test for the heart and mind. PLOS Ment Health 2(2): e0000145. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmen.0000145

Kuhail, M. A., Alturki, N., Thomas, J., Alkhalifa, A. K., & Alshardan, A. (2024). Human-Human vs Human-AI Therapy: An Empirical Study. International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 41(11), 6841–6852. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2024.2385001

Ophir, Y., Tikochinski, R., Elyoseph, Z., Efrati, Y., & Rosenberg, H. (2025). Balancing promise and concern in AI therapy: A critical perspective on early evidence from the MIT–OpenAI RCT. Frontiers in Medicine, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2025.1612838

Spytska, L. (2025). The use of artificial intelligence in psychotherapy: Development of intelligent therapeutic systems. BMC Psychology, 13, Article 175. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02491-9

Suleyman, M., & Bhaskar, M. (2023). The coming wave: Technology, power, and the twenty-first century’s greatest dilemma. Crown.

Sutton, G. W. (2025). The coming wave: AI, technology, and psychology Interdisciplinary Book and Film Reviews.

Book Authors – Recent Internet Information

Mustafa Suleyman is a British entrepreneur and AI pioneer, currently serving as CEO of Microsoft AI. He co-founded DeepMind in 2010, a leading artificial intelligence research company later acquired by Google, where he led its applied AI division. Suleyman also co-founded Inflection AI, known for developing the conversational assistant Pi. His career blends technological innovation with ethical advocacy, including founding DeepMind Ethics & Society and co-chairing the Partnership on AI. 

Michael Bhaskar is a British writer, researcher, and publisher specializing in the intersection of technology, media, and ideas. He co-founded Canelo, a digital publishing company, and has served as Writer in Residence at DeepMind. Bhaskar leads the Advanced Planning Unit at Microsoft AI, focusing on strategic foresight and scenario planning. His works include The Content Machine, Curation, and Human Frontiers, each examining how information and innovation shape society. 

Review Author

Geoffrey W. Sutton, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Evangel University, holds a master’s degree in counseling and a PhD in psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. His postdoctoral work encompassed education and supervision in forensic and neuropsychology. As a licensed psychologist, he conducted clinical and neuropsychological evaluations and provided psychotherapy for patients in various settings, including schools, hospitals, and private offices. During his tenure as a professor, Dr. Sutton taught courses on psychotherapy, assessment, and research. He has authored over one hundred publications, including books, book chapters, and articles in peer-reviewed psychology journals. His website is https://suttong.com