A new discipline of collective intelligence has surfaced in the last few years, prompted by a wave of digital technologies which make it easy for organizations and societies to think at large size. This ‘larger mind’?human and machine capabilities working together?has the potential to solve the fantastic challenges of our time. Why do smart technologies not automatically lead to smart results? Gathering insights from different fields, including philosophy, computer research, and biology, Big Mind reveals how collective intelligence can guide companies, governments, universities, and societies to make the most of human brains and digital technology.

Geoff Mulgan explores how collective cleverness has to be consciously organized and orchestrated to be able to funnel its powers. He talks about recent experiments mobilizing millions of people to solve complications, and at groundbreaking technology like Google Maps and Dove satellites. He also considers why businesses full of sensible people and devices could make foolish errors?from investment banks losing billions to intelligence agencies misjudging geopolitical events?and shows how to prevent them.