Review
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“A clear, compelling guide to some of the most pressing
debates in technology today.”—Bill Gates, from the foreword
“‘When your technology changes the world,’ writes Smith, ‘you
bear a responsibility to help address the world you have helped
create.’ In Tools and Weapons, Smith and co-author Carol Ann
Browne, make a persuasive, pragmatic case for owning that
responsibility, in everything from digital privacy and
surveillance to cybersecurity and social fragmentation to
artificial intelligence and facial-re technology.”
—Seattle Times
“Casual readers who know Microsoft primarily for Windows, Office
and maybe Xbox will be surprised by the level of in Smith
brings to some of the biggest issues facing not just the industry
but humanity. [Tools and Weapons] is written for a mass market,
not just tech and policy wonks. It offers a framework for
everyday readers to understand and think about the implications
of powerful new forms of technology. . . . It’s full of
behind-the-scenes anecdotes, from internal Microsoft meetings to
high-level sessions at the Obama and Trump White Houses. It makes
ample use of historical references to put modern trends and
technologies in context.” —GeekWire
“Smith’s book is not the typical vanity project churned out by
so many Fortune 500 leaders, the generic tomes on leadership and
teamwork stocked at airport bookstores near the neck pillows.
Tools and Weapons is a glimpse behind the curtain as Microsoft
reckoned with the Snowden revelations, defended against the
vicious cyberattacks, and took both the Obama and Trump
administrations to court.” —Rolling Stone
"Tools and Weapons reads like a techno-legal thriller, yet offers
a thorough and eye-opening account of the major tech
controversies of the last decade, from NSA ing through AI
ethics and the US-China standoff. Brad Smith, a believer that
"great power brings great responsibility" makes it evident that
the future of humanity may depend on ethical and responsive
leadership in the tech industries, and in this book he sets a
high bar for his peers." —Tim Wu, author of The Curse of Bigness
“This is a colorful and inful insiders’ view of how
technology is both empowering and threatening us. From privacy to
cyberattacks, this timely book is a useful guide for how to
navigate the digital future.” —Walter Isaacson, bestselling
author of The Innovators and Steve Jobs
“Perhaps more than any industry leader, Brad Smith understands
that technology is a double-edged —unleashing incredible
rtunity but raising profound questions about democracy, civil
liberties, the future of work and international relations. Tools
and Weapons tackles these and other questions in a brilliant and
accessible manner. It is a timely book that should be read by
anyone seeking to understand how we can take advantage of
technology’s promise without sacrificing our freedom, privacy or
security.” —Former Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright
“With clarity and candor, Brad Smith and Carol Ann Browne have
crafted an indispensable guide to understanding and tackling the
mightiest tech challenges of our time. Drawing on
firsthand experience as well as the lessons of history,
this perceptive volume shows that solutions will not be solely
governmental nor corporate, but must involve collaboration across
sectors and borders. Timely, essential reading for all who care
about where the tech world goes next.” —Margaret O’Mara, author
of The Code
“Coming from an industry driven by disruption, it’s refreshing
to read Brad Smith’s call for the tech sector to assume more
responsibility. In Tools and Weapons, Brad and Carol Ann Browne
wrestle with some of the world’s toughest technology challenges
with common sense and valuable in reflecting their inside
experience. The ideas in Tools and Weapons won’t solve all our
problems, but they’re a very good place to start.” —Reed
Hastings, CEO, Netflix
“At a time when many leaders in tech want to avoid a discussion
of the social, economic, and security ramifications of the
products they’ve built, it’s refreshing to see Brad Smith step
up, urge the industry to take action, and acknowledge the need
for smart regulation. This book offers an excellent encapsulation
of some of the biggest challenges facing technologists,
policymakers, and users alike.” —Senator Mark Warner
“Brad Smith has emerged as a vocal and principled thought leader
addressing how technology can either help uphold or undermine
human rights. As digital technology continues to proliferate,
these issues will only grow in importance and command more of the
world’s attention.” —Amal Clooney, international human rights
lawyer and co-founder and president, Clooney Foundation for
Justice
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About the Author
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Brad Smith is Microsoft's president, where he leads a team
of more than 1,400 business, legal and corporate affairs
professionals working in 56 countries. He plays a key role in
spearheading the company's work on critical issues involving the
intersection of technology and society, including cybersecurity,
privacy, artificial intelligence, human rights, immigration,
philanthropy and environmental sustainability. The Australian
Financial Review has described Smith as "one of the technology
industry's most respected figures," and the New York Times has
called him "a de facto ambassador for the technology industry at
large."
Carol Ann Browne is senior director of communications and
external relations at Microsoft. Browne and Smith have
collaborated on a wide variety of writing, video, and other
external engagements around the world, including their Today in
Technology blog series.
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