Book Review - AI 2041: Ten Visions for Our Future

Instead of merely sketching out possible technology scenarios and lining them up in a futuristic manner, isn’t it brilliant to weave those scenarios into stories that put people at the center? That’s exactly what AI 2041: Ten Visions for Our Future accomplishes. Kai-Fu Lee—one of the most prominent figures in the AI world—teams up with Chen Qiufan, who once worked alongside him and later made a name for himself as a science fiction author, to showcase how a future shaped by AI can be told through human narratives.

The result is a book that carries the reader beyond a purely techno-futurist panorama. Even if they don’t push the boundaries of imagination to the extreme, they still present a future scenario firmly grounded in current advancements and evidence—ultimately revealing how close those scenarios might actually be.

What makes this work truly unique is that it positions itself as “scientific fiction” rather than just “science fiction.” The AI technologies it incorporates—computer vision, deep learning methods, CNNs, GANs, and even broader machine learning and big data analytics—aren’t far-off concepts but rather tools and methods already proven in today’s R&D labs, university campuses, and startup offices. So, as readers dive in, they’re left thinking, “Maybe the future isn’t so far away after all.”

At the end of each story, Kai-Fu Lee provides historical and technical examples of how that particular piece of technology came to be, how it’s applied today, and where it could go tomorrow. In doing so, he takes a wide-ranging look at “How did we get here?”—from the milestones in machine learning to ancient Chinese inventions, from Silicon Valley labs to AI ventures springing up around the globe.

Throughout its ten different stories, the book opens the door to the year 2041 by focusing not just on technological change, but on the human element at its core. The characters come from a range of ethnicities and cultural backgrounds, so rather than being dazzled by the intricacies of technology itself, we get to witness the many-layered human emotions and social structures within an AI-shaped world. Across these narratives, we see how feelings like anxiety, love, ambition, loyalty, fear, and hope can define—or sometimes derail—even the most sophisticated AI systems. In essence, the authors’ approach makes it clear that technology is only a tool, and it’s always guided by our “human values.”

Right in the introduction, Kai-Fu Lee cites a paragraph from his PhD thesis, which includes the statement “AI is the final step in the journey to understanding ourselves.” This notion—that AI can, in a sense, function as a mirror reflecting both our individual and collective instincts—flows through every page of the book from the very start. Even though data-processing power, machine learning models, or AI algorithms may guide the characters in various ways, the question of truly knowing ourselves ends up taking center stage. The book thus hints from the get-go that AI isn’t just about technological evolution, but also about an inner and societal transformation.

Thus stands AI 2041—a book that, on one hand, sparkles with human stories, emotions, and cultural motifs, and on the other is grounded in solid technical underpinnings and current evidence. At its core, it tells readers: “Yes, we envision a future stretching to 2041. But this vision is being shaped by the technological realities and social dynamics of today.” It’s precisely for this reason that the characters, the plot, and the storytelling elements invite the reader beyond a mere glimpse of “the future,” drawing them into a deeper exploration of their own inner world.

1. Story - The Golden Elephant:

1. Background and Context

As the first story in the AI 2041 collection, “The Golden Elephant” takes us to the sprawling metropolis of Mumbai, India. This choice is anything but random: Mumbai not only boasts one of the fastest-growing economies and labor markets on the global stage but also grapples with stark socioeconomic inequalities on a massive scale. By placing the narrative in Mumbai—a megacity with the hallmark features of a developing nation—this story deftly showcases both the technological and human dimensions of AI applications. This colossal urban landscape, rife with vast data potential on one hand and deep inequalities on the other, serves as the perfect backdrop for illustrating the positive and negative facets of AI-based insurance. In this way, Mumbai’s presence in “The Golden Elephant” is more than just a geographical setting; it’s a strategic choice that shapes the story’s dramatic and socioeconomic framework. On one side stand towering skyscrapers and banks, and on the other, an enormous population living in informal settlements…

Within the story, we witness how AI-driven risk management and personalized insurance services—bolstered by big data and deep learning—could radically alter everyday life. At its core, the tale revolves around the concept of data-centric insurance: collecting information such as people’s genetic traits, health records, social behaviors, and even the digital identity systems they use (like India’s Aadhaar) to arrive at the most “accurate” risk analysis. While at first this might seem like a fairer or more efficient model, it also brings to the forefront the deep issues Kai-Fu Lee points out around the “objective function.” It’s in the shadow of these very concerns that the true challenges of this approach emerge.

1.1. AI, Insurance, and Society

In recent years, the widespread adoption of AI applications in the finance and insurance sectors has redefined risk management through big data analytics and automated decision-making (O’Neil, 2016). The personalization of insurance policies can turn even lower profit margins into viable gains (Barocas & Selbst, 2016). However, these applications also carry the potential for privacy violations and a deepening of social inequalities (Pasquale, 2015).

1.2. “Objective Function” and Harmful Externalities

Kai-Fu Lee (2021) emphasizes that AI systems often revolve around a single objective function (e.g., profit maximization, risk minimization), which can give rise to certain “side effects” or externalities. Within the literature, there are critiques suggesting that engineering-focused goals might overlook the societal and human dimensions of technology (Winner, 1980; Jasanoff, 2016). In “The Golden Elephant,” these critiques become tangible through a fictional scenario that underscores real-world concerns.

1.3. Aadhaar Digital Identity System and Developing Countries

India’s Aadhaar system is a globally examined example of large-scale biometric and demographic data collection (Mann & Pant, 2019; Gelb & Metz, 2018). In developing economies, digital identity initiatives like this heighten data sharing between government agencies and the private sector, fundamentally reshaping how people are included or excluded from societal participation (World Bank, 2018). “The Golden Elephant” brings these issues to the forefront through a narrative lens, inviting readers to consider the social impact of massive data ecosystems akin to Aadhaar.

2. Kai-Fu Lee’s Warning: “The Simplicity of the Objective Function”

“The core of the issue is the simplicity of the objective function, which can lead to harmful externalities.”

— Kai-Fu Lee

Lee’s observation gets right to the heart of “The Golden Elephant.” When AI is geared toward a single success criterion—like minimizing risk or maximizing profit—the human and social dimensions can easily be sidelined. In this way, an algorithm that claims to be devising “the most accurate policies” may inadvertently produce harmful externalities, such as excluding disadvantaged groups, compromising privacy through excessive data collection, or even damaging family bonds.

2.1. Don’t Humans Also Have Conflicting Objective Functions?

This brings up a question I couldn’t help but ask: “When people’s own objective functions clash with one another, don’t we face a similar problem?” In truth, yes. Throughout history, individuals and societies have clashed over differing priorities. Yet, we generally rely on human empathy, negotiation, and compromise to create flexible decision-making processes. An algorithm, however, isn’t inherently designed to capture that multi-layered complexity—unless it’s purpose-built to do so—and often focuses on a singular goal, overlooking the nuances of human life. This is where Lee highlights the limitations of big data and deep learning.

3. Main Themes

3.1. Bias and Digital Footprints

In the story, we learn that while the character Sahej is never explicitly labeled as “Dalit,” that identity can still be inferred based on his lifestyle, geographic location, and economic data—his digital footprints, in other words. This is where the phrase “Unfair outcomes are not intentional” comes into play: The algorithm is supposed to make neutral decisions by analyzing statistical correlations. However, because historical inequalities or societal biases may be baked into the dataset—whether deliberately or inadvertently—what appears “neutral” can in fact perpetuate ingrained prejudices.

3.2. Aadhaar Digital Identity and Data Collection

The narrative references Aadhaar, India’s real-world digital identity system. Launched in 2009, it now encompasses biometric and demographic data for billions of Indian citizens, making it one of the world’s largest digital identity programs. Its inclusion in the story illustrates just how vast, centralized, and digitized this infrastructure for personal data can be. While such a system feeds the data appetite of AI operating in a “social engineering” role, it also magnifies privacy concerns and questions about free will.

3.3. Relentless Discount Notifications and Local Businesses’ Adaptation

One of the more striking details in the story is how users are constantly bombarded with discount and advertising notifications on their phones. Insurance companies can instantly send alerts or personalized offers to people looking to lower their risk profiles.

Rapid Adaptation by Local Businesses: Restaurants, grocery stores, and gyms jump on board, harnessing AI-powered data to roll out “just for you” campaigns. Across different neighborhoods in Mumbai, people often share personal data in exchange for discounts and promotions—no matter how small.

Behavioral Economics and Human Vulnerabilities: The public’s enthusiasm for discounts highlights how AI and big data analytics can tap into our behavioral motivations. As a result, social life takes on an element of “targeted promos and rewards,” a theme that appears early in the story when the family acquires their insurance policy. The mother capitalizes on a 50% discount window and is celebrated by her entire family for her success.

3.4. Family Dynamics and the Human Factor

The narrative doesn’t just focus on individual perspectives; it also illuminates familial or emotional motivations. If one family member is deemed “high risk,” everyone’s insurance costs can go up. At this point, human values like sacrifice, love, and emotional support collide with the question of how they fit into a single optimization formula. In an AI-driven world, a single objective function often struggles to capture these “complex” relationships.

I can’t help but ask, “But how well do we humans handle this ourselves?” After all, human societies have historically clashed whenever family ties, close relationships, or differing beliefs come into play. Even family members can hold varying priorities, sensitivities, and cultural convictions. People do possess empathy, communication, and negotiation skills, which allow for at least the possibility of finding middle ground in the short or long term. But coding or designing that same capacity for compromise into an AI laser-focused on one objective is a far more daunting prospect. In that sense, “The Golden Elephant” suggests that AI technologies struggle to automatically account for the emotional and social subtleties that define family life. On the flip side, humans don’t always harmonize their own “objective functions” all that gracefully either. Ultimately, both humans and AI face a similar challenge in managing multi-dimensional, ever-shifting value systems—a single, linear goal simply can’t reflect the complexities of real-world relationships.

4. Harmful Externalities and Sociological Impact

Kai-Fu Lee’s warning about the “objective function” closely aligns with the concept of harmful externalities. These effects can unsettle not only insurance premiums but the entire social fabric:

? Exclusion and Inequality: Those who are poor or labeled “high risk” may be pushed out of the system by prohibitively expensive or inaccessible policies.

? Erosion of Privacy: Even deeply personal information finds its way into data banks, thanks to Aadhaar or other biometric/digital identity systems.

? Weakening Social Solidarity: Insurance was traditionally about collective support, but extreme personalization can chip away at that sense of communal safety net.

Before wrapping up, it’s worth noting that although the author mentions in the book’s introduction that science fiction writers are partly responsible for stoking three major sources of anxiety around AI, the ending of this story—if it aimed to dispel those worries—didn’t seem very successful. In fact, quite the opposite: “The Golden Elephant” shines a spotlight on the very risks and human dilemmas that might emerge from deploying machine learning and big data.        

And I have to say,

the real fun begins in the second story!

2. Story: “Gods Behind the Masks”

This story is more impactful compared to the other one; perhaps it is somewhat longer, it features technologies that are more of my interest, and it addresses the concept of identity in a much stronger manner.

In this story, concepts such as Computer Vision, Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), deepfake content, Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN), biometrics, and AI security are central. Just like in “The Golden Elephant,” Kai-Fu Lee provides in-depth explanations of the workings and impacts of these technologies following the story. He reinforces technological concepts very easily by summarizing them with precise and accurate example applications and events from our recent history.

However, the contradictions experienced by a young person struggling to survive amidst identity conflicts and an unemployment crisis are such a powerful theme in the narrative that they overshadow the technology and cry out the question, “Is the young person trying to outsmart this system the real culprit?”

1. The Story’s Background and Context

“Gods Behind the Masks,” as the second story in the AI 2041 book, takes us to Lagos, Nigeria—a city marked by rapid urbanization and intense ethnic diversity. This choice is not accidental; Nigeria, as a country where the concept of identity is becoming fluid, social inequalities are deepening, and technological transformation is swiftly taking place, provides an ideal environment to thoroughly explore the societal impacts of artificial intelligence and the human dimensions of these technologies. Lagos’s dense population, the coexistence of various ethnic groups, and the dynamics of rapid urbanization create a compelling backdrop for understanding the real-world challenges and issues that AI technologies can pose.

Kai-Fu Lee, referring to the previous story, says:

“In ‘The Golden Elephant,’ we witnessed the potential prowess of deep learning in big-data applications, like the Internet and finance. You’re probably not surprised that AI beat humans on big-data-crunching applications. But what about capabilities that are unique to humans or other living creatures, such as perception?”

This question not only challenges the shifting power dynamics between the “perceiver” and the “perceived” but also lays the foundation for the central themes of this story.

1.1. Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision, and AI Security

In recent years, the rapid development of Computer Vision and Deep Learning technologies has led to significant advancements, especially in facial recognition, biometrics, and security fields (Goodfellow, Bengio & Courville, 2016). “Gods Behind the Masks” explores how these technologies are integrated into daily life and how they shape individuals’ identities. Specifically, the use of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN) highlights the production of deepfake content and the assurance of AI security.

The story provides a detailed depiction of how real-time facial recognition technology is integrated into everyday life. Faces of passengers passing through turnstiles are automatically recognized, and payments are processed instantly. In this scene, we witness the character Amara discovering vulnerabilities in the system to hide her face, thus entering the endless war between “Fakes and their Detectors” – reminiscent of the perpetual conflict between Eros and Thanatos since ancient Greece.

1.2. Technological Innovation and Societal Impacts

Nigeria’s rapid technological transformation presents both opportunities and challenges. “Gods Behind the Masks” examines the impact of artificial intelligence on societal structures, particularly in the context of identity conflicts and economic injustices. In this regard, the influence of AI on societal norms and values stands out as one of the story’s fundamental pillars.

In the story, the use of artificial intelligence for social interactions and propaganda deepens societal tensions and identity conflicts. The character Faka emerges as a powerful figure capable of manipulating various segments of society through deepfake technologies. Faka’s ability to influence society as a mummified corpse questions the ethical boundaries of technology and its profound effects on societal structures.

Furthermore, Amara’s experience of identity conflict and unemployment crisis demonstrates how individuals must manage their objectives in both digital and real worlds. While struggling to survive, Amara also attempts to manipulate technology. This situation offers a profound analysis of how artificial intelligence overlooks individuals’ complex objectives and the impact of these contradictions on societal structures.

2. The Story’s Main Themes

2.1. Identity Conflicts and Digital Masks

In the story, individuals use digital masks and deepfake technologies to conceal or alter their real identities, demonstrating how the concept of identity becomes fluid. Amara’s experience of identity conflict provides an in-depth look at how an individual’s self-definition does not align with their existing identity in both societal and digital worlds. This situation reveals how individuals’ digital identities clash with their deeper, underlying selves and how this conflict impacts social relationships.

2.2. Computer Vision and Security Technologies

The use of computer vision technologies is central to the story. Facial recognition systems, the use of biometric data, and AI security are examined alongside their impacts on individual privacy and freedom. While these technologies have the potential to enhance security, they also create new risks related to privacy invasions and data security breaches.

2.3. Economic Injustices and Technological Access

Socio-economic inequalities in Nigeria deepen the disparities in access to artificial intelligence technologies. The story raises important questions about who benefits from technological advancements and who does not, emphasizing issues of social justice and equality. Themes such as unemployment and economic crisis highlight the impact that technological innovations have on societal structures.

2.4. Moral Dilemmas and the Use of Technology

Amara’s moral dilemmas highlight that the use of technology involves not only technical but also ethical dimensions. The production and use of fabricated content cause individuals to question their moral values. This situation necessitates deep reflection on how ethical boundaries are defined and how individuals cope with these boundaries. The question, “What is awakening Amara’s conscience?” lingers in the minds of readers.

2.5. Faka and the Societal Impact of Mummified Dead

The character Faka is central to the story, profoundly affecting society as a mummified corpse. Faka’s creation of fake videos using deepfake technologies manipulates societal norms and perceptions of identity. Faka’s “deified” image undermines the trust of individuals and the community, raising important questions about how technology can be used as a propaganda tool. This situation questions the ethical boundaries of artificial intelligence and its profound effects on societal structures, suggesting that the relentless pursuit of leadership is an ever-present need among people.

3. Harmful Externalities and Sociological Impacts

? Deepening Social Inequalities: Technological disparities can further exacerbate economic and social inequalities. Wealthy and powerful groups may leverage technology to their advantage, while disadvantaged groups might find themselves excluded. However, these groups were already marginalized without technology; therefore, it is more accurate to state that these inequalities can persist.

? Identity Confusion and Social Tensions: Digital masks and deepfake technologies facilitate the concealment or alteration of identities, undermining social trust and damaging relationships. Lee warns about the necessity to scrutinize all videos produced over the next two decades with this perspective.

? Moral and Ethical Issues: Ethical dilemmas surrounding the use of technology cause individuals and society to question their moral values. This situation necessitates the redefinition of social norms and ethical standards.

? Propaganda and Manipulation: Faka’s deepfake videos manipulate the populace to support specific ideologies and leadership figures, threatening the stability of societal structures. This highlights a significant externality regarding how technology can be misused for propaganda purposes.

There are many warnings in this story. Perhaps one of the most important is the need to be prepared for the rebirth of mythologized characters who hold societies together through GANs and the potential effects this could create.        

3. Story: “Twin Sparrows”

The book gets more and more impressive. The stories get deeper and deeper.

In the 3rd story, we see AI pulling the rug out from under the biggest industries. We are at a point where to say transformation is an understatement. We are in Korea, in an environment where AI has penetrated all aspects of life, from child development to the education system, from investment to the biggest industries.

The rapid advancements in technology have reached a level that's beyond what I expected, and I'm not sure if it's just because of where I live. The biggest companies were destroyed overnight, and the most detailed research was rendered useless.

The main protagonists are twins.

These twins are extremely talented and superior, with opposite characteristics.

The story's central theme is clear: technological progress has consistently fallen short in mirroring the profound emotional depths that have been a staple of the human experience since time immemorial. This story serves as a poignant reminder that the concepts we face today are inextricably linked to those of tomorrow.

The story forces the reader to question the concept of success. It forces us to confront the sheer variety of success definitions out there. It makes you question ambition and reminds us that there are people who cannot accept the success of anyone other than themselves and who will do anything to succeed. It also challenges our understanding of true happiness, making us question whether success alone is enough to lead a fulfilling life. It forces us to confront the true requirements for happiness. It reminds us of the agony of loss and the profound emotional impact it has.

The technology that Kai-Fu Li highlights in this section is the NLPmodel, Self Supervised Learning, which allows people to learn without labels. Making sure that the difference between supervised learning and self-supervised learning is understood, he predicts that this and similar developments will radically change the education system, in fact it has already started to change it in China, so that students can reach their true potential with assigned and personalized assistants 24/7, and moreover, education will reach more people after the cost reduction.

Honestly, at this point, I had already made up my mind long before I read this book. Throughout the whole story, I wished I had such an AI companion when I was a kid.         

I can see how even today's version of using AI in education has very useful and transformative results. After all, who wouldn't benefit from a personalized assistant with a strong memory that you can call on whenever you want?        

4. Story: “Contactless Love”

The story is based on how these technologies are used in daily life in a future where crises such as pandemics necessitate minimizing physical contact. Set in 2041 in China, the most interesting part of this story for me is the transformation of artificial intelligence (AI), especially in the health sector, medicine and the medical world.

From housework to advanced healthcare services, robots have taken part in many areas. These robots play important roles in elderly care, patient support systems and rehabilitation processes. On the other hand, personalized applications and wearable biosensor devices monitor, process and transmit all physiological parameters of individuals - critical measurements such as blood pressure, glucose level, oxygen saturation - in real time to relevant healthcare professionals. The devices, which can be worn on the arm and enable individuals to read their health data to each other, enable rapid information sharing and intervention in emergencies. These systems are having groundbreaking effects not only in early diagnosis, preventive health applications and the production of new, customized medicines.

At the end of the story, Kai-Fu Lee explains why IBM Watson has failed to deliver the expected success, and elaborates on the areas where AI excels. He states that AI surpasses human performance in many areas such as big data analytics, making sense of complex relationships, accuracy in disease diagnosis algorithms and effectiveness in clinical decision support systems.

Lee emphasizes how the scientific and technological revolutions of the 1900s extended human life expectancy, and he is clear that we are now in the midst of another revolutionary transformation.

The story is a love story, but it's more than that. It's also about the impact of artificial intelligence on the health sector and daily life.

It's a compelling topic, but the romantic theme might prevent it from being one of my personal favorites.        

5. Story - My Haunting Idolé

"My Haunting Idolé" is a story that explores how virtual reality and artificial intelligence will shape the entertainment industry. Set in Tokyo, the story explores a world that deepens fans' bonds with their idols and blurs the boundaries between the real and the virtual.

This story is full of hope! We now clearly feel that in this story the author has achieved the goal he mentioned in the introduction.

Our protagonist, Aiko, sets out on a mission to solve the mystery behind the death of pop idol Hiroshi X, a star she has adored for years. Concurrently, she loses her job due to artificial intelligence. This journey leads Aiko to participate in an AI-powered and personalized game to learn more about Hiroshi's enigmatic death. In the process, she discovers that Hiroshi's death was an illusion and that his idol was distancing himself from the spotlight and the pressures of the entertainment world.

Themes of the story

1. Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality

The story demonstrates the capacity of technology to deliver personalized experiences. Artificial intelligence analyzes the user's preferences, history and emotions to create a unique story. But this process also emphasizes the importance of the human touch.

2. The Border Between Real and Virtual

The recreation of Hiroshi as a “ghost” questions the blurring of the line between the virtual and the real world. Aiko's bond with this ghost shows how realistic and immersive virtual experiences can be.

3. The Dark Side of Entertainment

Hiroshi's decision to walk away from the industry addresses the unhealthy power dynamics in the entertainment world and the toxic aspects of fan-idol relationships. Taiyo's perspective helps us understand both the power and the harm of the imaginary personalities fans project onto their idols.

4. Hope and Reboot

Aiko losing her job and then finding a new career opportunity with her idol Hiroshi reinforces one of the strongest themes of the story: hope and starting over. Hiroshi's own path also supports the message of individual freedom and self-realization.

Main Lines of the Story

1. Hiroshi's “Death” and Aiko's Search:

Hiroshi's tragic death leaves his fans in mourning. Aiko, however, is unable to accept this and begins to search for the truth with the help of an AI recreated “ghost” of Hiroshi. In this game, Aiko encounters many clues about Hiroshi's life and the mystery behind his death.

2. Hiroshi's New Beginning:

At the end of her investigation, Aiko learns that Hiroshi is not really dead. Hiroshi is tired of the false and corrosive dynamics of the entertainment industry and has withdrawn himself from this world. To make a fresh start, he founded a company called Viberz with a friend, Taiyo, where he designs games where fans can create their own stories with artificial intelligence.

3. Aiko's Hopeful Ending:

Aiko's adventure in the game not only solves Hiroshi's mystery, but also offers her a career opportunity. At the end of the story, Hiroshi offers Aiko to work together on creative projects at his company. This offer opens the door to a new beginning for Aiko, both personally and professionally.

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In his analysis of the story, Kai-Fu Lee not only discusses technological innovations such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR), but also their impact on human perception, sociological implications and ethical dimensions. While the story shows us how a “ghost” like Hiroshi X can appear completely realistic and how this experience can affect human beings, Lee explains how this technological revolution will shape our daily lives and even the meaning of life.

Lee's analysis reveals the exciting and thought-provoking aspects of XR technologies. These technologies

It can expand our perception of reality.

- It can deepen our bonds,

However, privacy, manipulation, and ethical challenges emerge as potential issues. Fortunately, there are also opportunities to find solutions to these problems.

In his analysis, Kai-Fu Lee also mentions Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology, namely projects such as Neuralink. However, Lee emphasizes that 2041 is an early target for such technologies to become widespread.

Apparently, First World Problems Paradigm! :)

It makes you thankful to be in this age and at the end of the story, it makes me wish I could experience this age from a developed country.         

6. Story - The Holy Driver

Oh, just wow!!!

The mix of autonomous cars and remote pro drivers stepping in for wild rescue missions? Absolutely genius! It’s like tech meets action hero vibes, and I couldn’t get enough of it. What a ride—pun totally intended! Hats off to Chen Qiufan!

I will write a summary, the technologies mentioned and my thoughts on them, but for now I must continue reading.

7. Story Quantum Genocide

What the hell was that??!!

Just when I was in the excitement and pleasure of saying "I'm glad I'm in this age" in the last two stories, the author suddenly turns the reader upside down. This story is full of autonomous weapons that compete with each other in speed, size, and all sorts of abilities. And the best human actors in their fields. The best hackers around the world. And, also, a genius physicist who loses his family because of the climate crisis and environmental events, and vows to restore the world to the way it was, to turn off all the electricity and all the interconnected systems. It's a story that's a mess. What a twist.

The story is about a dangerous human emotion, revenge. And even more disturbing, the story includes the ugliest of human situations, from human trafficking to the most vicious blackmail.

Cause and effect were inteminglepd just like the quantum world in this story that shows that bad can turn into good and good can turn into bad in an instant.         

As if the story is a reminder of responsibility that belongs to man and humanity who are also in need of caliber for the creation of a peaceful world.        

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In the Explanations section, Lee explains what will happen when the quantum computing revolution takes place, especially when we move to a different computer architecture. He assures the reader that this is a revolution that will affect every field and will be groundbreaking.

He talks about the technologies used so far and today and the security issues. He does not forget to include the proposal to ban autonomous weapons, which was introduced and rejected in 2021, and the weapons that are owned today.

Bitcoin and blockchain explanations and vulnerabilities are among the technology explanations. Here he has a serious warning to his readers who have not yet switched to the P2PKH standard: "Put this book down now and go secure your wallet.

8. The Job Savior

Okay, this was depressing!
Why on earth did I do this to myself on a Saturday night??!        

“The Job Savior” is set in a future where AI has radically transformed the workforce. The main characters, Michael Saviour and Jennifer Greenwood, work at Synchia, a company dedicated to reintegrating millions of unemployed workers back into the job market. The story delves into the societal crises that accelerated after the pandemic, touching on issues like mass automation, universal basic income (UBI), and the importance of dignity in work.

Michael isn’t just focused on helping people find new jobs—he wants them to regain their confidence and sense of purpose. However, he faces challenges from both tech giants and competitors offering cheaper, but ultimately impersonal, solutions. A mysterious company called OmegaAlliance proposes an alternative: virtual jobs that provide displaced workers with something to do, though the approach raises ethical questions about authenticity and fulfillment.

Throughout the story, Michael and Jennifer grapple with whether human values can survive in a rapidly changing world—and readers are invited to ask themselves the same question. At its core, the story questions whether the “digital renaissance” driven by AI will genuinely benefit humanity or leave people seeking solace in simulations.

Kai-Fu Lee's Analysis:

The book’s analysis section presents a multidimensional view of AI’s impact on the workforce. Topics such as AI-driven job losses and UBI proposals fuel a broader conversation about how society can balance technological progress with human well-being. While the story acknowledges that automation can displace human labor, it also highlights the enduring value of human-centric skills like empathy, creativity, and critical thinking.

The section emphasizes that while “virtual work” may offer temporary purpose, it’s unlikely to replace the real sense of value that meaningful jobs bring. Instead, education and workforce programs need to evolve, fostering creativity and emotional intelligence to keep people engaged and resilient in a new work landscape.

Personal Reflection:

Honestly, my main concern isn’t that people will be bored without jobs—it’s that they’ll struggle financially without a stable income. There are countless things people can do to stay active and engaged. Falling into depression because of unemployment alone feels unnecessary to me. Can someone’s entire sense of self-worth really depend solely on their job? And I don’t mean their paycheck—that’s a different issue altogether. I’m talking about the work itself. I believe there are many ways for a person to enrich their life beyond their professional identity.

Maybe the real question is: how does a person’s search for meaning evolve when work isn’t the defining factor?        

9. Story: Isle of Happiness

I can't understand that so many riches could pile up around a man, yet his spirit remains hollow, unable to kindle its own spark of joy. In my eyes, that feels almost comical—like standing at a banquet but complaining you cannot taste the food. If folks truly lose their creative spark, no amount of opulence can soothe that emptiness. And so, I can’t help but shrug at this tale.

All the fancy trimmings in the world will never outweigh the simple power of imagination and gratitude. If the story wishes to highlight the plight of those who have it all yet remain unsatisfied, well, I just don't believe this syndrome.

So that is why, in the end, I found this story rather “meh.”         

Can a mind forgets how to dream, or a heart forgets how to be thankful. If a man cannot do that, well, that is a curious comedy indeed. It is not convincing.

In the informative, i.e. analysis part of Lee's story discusses the following:

1. Personalized Health and Wellbeing

Using the “Isle of Happiness” project as an example, Lee discusses where AI (artificial intelligence)-enabled medicine and welfare services could lead in the future. He emphasizes that healthcare services can be highly personalized, especially by processing multi-layered data such as genetic data, biometric tracking and psychological analysis.

2. Data Privacy and Ethical Boundaries

The story is characterized by island residents or guests providing AI with virtually unlimited data. Lee explains the critical importance of “data privacy” in this context. The constant monitoring of both biological and psychological data means “managing” not only diseases but also emotional states. This raises the possibility of misuse by companies, governments or various organizations.

In addition, the gap between rich and poor and issues of social justice remind us that they will become even more prominent in the age of artificial intelligence, so what can we say, at least the rich can be spoiled and unhappy too?

10. Story : Dreaming of Plenitude

“Dreaming of Plenitude” is better than the previous story, largely because it tackles a variety of complex issues in a hopeful yet thought-provoking manner.

While the mention of an Alzheimer’s breakthrough does stand out for me it’s far from the sole focal point. Indeed, what truly gives this story its depth are the broader social and cultural shifts, like the plight of two Aboriginal women who have effectively been “erased” from mainstream society. Their struggle embodies larger questions about ethnic inequality and historical injustice, revealing how technological progress and social acceptance do not always move in lockstep.

Another compelling element is the its approach to currency. Instead of relying on a traditional monetary system, the story suggests a paradigm in which wealth is distributed or even bypassed, placing emphasis on shared resources and mutual benefit. This concept challenges our ingrained beliefs about economics: if money itself loses its centrality, can we truly reshape society on more equitable lines, or will hidden hierarchies simply reappear under new guises?

Perhaps the one aspect that left me somewhat uneasy is the notion of prescribing “purpose” to keep people content. This theme is still persisting in this story. While assigning roles might ensure a baseline of social harmony, it assumes that individuals are incapable of discovering their own paths or that they need a structured framework to stay fulfilled.

The question that nags at me is same here:

Could people really so lacking in creativity that they must be handed a mission in order to find meaning??        

Why does the author think so?         

Despite this concern, I like the story’s willingness to envision a future where major dilemmas—from medical breakthroughs to systemic inequalities—are addressed head-on. Not my favorite though.

THE END

I’ve finally turned the last page, and all sorts of thoughts and emotions are still buzzing around in my mind. Out of all the stories, I found myself most captivated by the third, fifth, and sixth—there was just something about them that struck a chord in me. I wish every tale in the collection had sparked that same excitement, but overall, I’m truly glad I read this book. It feels like a vibrant potpourri of ideas, each one drawing on different moods and possibilities.

The question on my mind: But will the aspect of technology causing fear in people be overcome in the real world? Will it be possible to see it realized when it is so difficult even in stories?

Let me end it like this

The line between what’s impossible and what’s next can be thinner than we think :)