The Case for The End of Conflict
The end of conflict? Sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it?
But maybe it is more plausible than we imagine.
The evolutionary perspective on conflict
One reason it seems such an unlikely claim is that conflict...
Conflict resolution is such a critically important topic and Horton’s idea that AI can benefit the field brings a lot of hope. It’s a very enjoyable read too.
"The End of Conflict" is a compelling exploration of how AI could reshape the future of war and peace. Horton, drawing on decades of experience in negotiation, offers a roadmap for navigating technological upheaval. He argues that AI has the power to end conflict in our lifetimes — and outlines how we might steer it toward a more optimistic future for people and planet.
A great book that explores how AI really can be a huge force for good in society, giving us powerful tools to transform our democracy into something that's finally deserving of the name.
Horton has taken what has every right to be a heavy subject matter, and expertly crafted a light, entertaining, balanced book without compromising on pure density of insight. I come away feeling hopeful and well-equipped for this important juncture in humanity's history.
The End of Conflict
The end of conflict? Sounds impossible, like the lion lying down with the lamb. But what if it were achievable?
World-renowned Negotiation expert Simon Horton has spent 25 years working with the British Army, hostage negotiators and some of the biggest companies in the world. He has also spent 20 years studying artificial intelligence and he reveals how the rapidly growing field of Peace Tech really could end war, heal our polarised societies, and improve our closest relationships.
Humans know how to resolve conflict in theory but, in practice, our egos and emotions get in the way. AI has no such limitations. With its ability to manage vast datasets and develop creative solutions to seemingly intractable problems, AI could transform how we handle disagreements at every level.
There’s a catch, of course. Can we trust the AI? Can we trust the tech companies?
Including interviews with Professor Steven Pinker, Bruce Schneier and many similar experts in their field, “The End of Conflict” builds a plausible roadmap to the optimistic future of the title and shows what we must do to ensure everyone benefits fairly from these powerful new technologies.
Excerpts
“It’s very exciting. There is a whole approach to conflict resolution that is underappreciated, that is more successful than you would think, and that approach can be taken to the next level by AI.”
“On one occasion, we broadcast on Facebook, then this was broadcast on television, and we had a 1.4 million audience, which was about a third of the whole country. This led directly to a ceasefire, all while polled in real-time, and to the surprise of the cynics, the Forum was created and a Government of National Unity was set up.”
“I’m a mediator and negotiation advisor and for nearly thirty years I’ve been involved in processes like the Dayton Agreement, the Darfur Peace Agreement, the Colombia agreements with FARC. And I will use AI as part of my preparation… it is really helpful because I want to go into these negotiations with as big a toolbox of options as I can.”
“if we realised that things are better than ever now, that the world is safer than we currently believe, we would feel less threatened and be calmer and more open to the kind of collaboration that we need to make our society work.”
*Please note these quotes are not endorsements for the book but are excerpts from interviews and relate to the specific topics of the chapter in which they are included.
About the author
Simon Horton
Simon has been teaching negotiation and conflict resolution for 20 years, across 25 different countries. Clients have included Goldman Sachs, HM British Army, the Saudi Space Agency and many similar world class organisations. He has taught at Oxford University and Imperial College and has appeared on national television in multiple countries and is regularly interviewed on the topic in national press and magazines.
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