Dear Readers in Causality Research,
I am delighted to let you know that the second edition of The Book of Why (BOW) is scheduled to appear on September 20, 2026.
This edition will include:
1. Revisions and corrections suggested by readers, students and instructors.
2. An account of recent breakthroughs in causal inference (e.g., missing data, personalized medicine, and more).
3. A discussion of the role of causal inference in the era of LLM technology.
4. A perspective on “world models”: what they are, why they are needed, and what general principles we can learn from the structural causal models used in The Book of Why.
The latter topic has become hot in the past few months, so I am posting a section from the Preface, titled "Worldviews, Mindsets, and Narratives: Hidden Nuggets of Causal Inference," -- which highlights the general principles we can learn from the structural causal models used in The Book of Why.
A word about the dangers of AGI (Artificial General Intelligence, or "super-intelligent AI systems"), which have become the target of general public concerns in just the past two weeks. I remain convinced that AGI is achievable, that the road to AGI goes through causal inference, and that the dangers of AGI taking over and enslaving humanity are real. At the same time, I also believe that causal inference may hold the key to controlling AGI systems so as to secure the survival of the human species.
I hope therefore, half jokingly, that The Book of Why will not be banned by draconian legislation currently brewing in DC. (Hurry to get a copy just in case.)
With warmest regards,
Judea
@GaryMarcus @eliasbareinboim @soboleffspaces @tdietterich @erichorvitz @ylecun @geoffreyhinton