AI Superpowers - by Kai-Fu Lee (Paperback)

About the Book

Dr. Kai-Fu Lee--one of the world's most respected experts on AI and China--reveals that China has suddenly caught up to the US at an astonishingly rapid and unexpected pace. Kai-Fu Lee argues powerfully that because of these unprecedented developments in AI, dramatic changes will be happening much sooner than many of us expected. Indeed, as the US-Sino AI competition begins to heat up, Lee urges the US and China to both accept and to embrace the great responsibilities that come with significant technological power. Most experts already say that AI will have a devastating impact on blue-collar jobs. But Lee predicts that Chinese and American AI will have a strong impact on white-collar jobs as well. Is universal basic income the solution? In Lee's opinion, probably not. But he provides a clear description of which jobs will be affected and how soon, which jobs can be enhanced with AI, and most importantly, how we can provide solutions to some of the most profound changes in human history that are coming soon.

Book Synopsis

THE NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, AND WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER

"Kai-Fu Lee believes China will be the next tech-innovation superpower and in AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order, he explains why. Taiwan-born Lee is perfectly positioned for the task."--New York Magazine

In this thought-provoking book, Lee argues powerfully that because of the unprecedented developments in artificial intelligence, dramatic changes shaping the future of work will be happening much sooner than many of us expected. Indeed, as the US-Sino AI competition begins to heat up, Lee urges the US and China to both accept and to embrace the great responsibilities that come with significant technological power.

Most experts already say that AI will have a devastating impact on blue-collar jobs. But in this analysis of the coming AI revolution, Lee predicts that Chinese and American AI will have a strong impact on white-collar jobs as well, leading to widespread job displacement. Is universal basic income the solution? In Lee's opinion, probably not. But he provides a clear description of which jobs will be affected and how soon, which jobs can be enhanced with AI, and most importantly, how we can provide solutions to some of the most profound changes defining the new world order.

In AI Superpowers, Dr. Lee provides a clear-eyed look at the new world order, revealing:

• The Four Waves of AI: An essential framework for understanding how Internet, Business, Perception, and Autonomous AI will transform our world.
• China vs. Silicon Valley: An insider's look at why China's tenacious entrepreneurs and massive data troves give it a powerful edge in the age of implementation.
• The Real AI Crisis: A sobering analysis of how AI will create widespread job displacement for both blue-collar and white-collar workers, fueling global and domestic inequality.
• A Blueprint for Coexistence: A hopeful vision for a future where we leverage AI-generated wealth to embrace our shared humanity, compassion, and creativity.

Review Quotes

A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestseller! Featured on CBS 60 Minutes Kai-Fu Lee named a Wired Icon, as part of Wired Magazine's 25th Anniversary Feature Publishers Weekly Fall 2018 Top 10 in Business & Economics Featured in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Wired, Financial Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, Business Insider, Forbes, and more. "After thirty years of pioneering work in artificial intelligence at Google China, Microsoft, Apple and other companies, Lee says he's figured out the blueprint for humans to thrive in the coming decade of massive technological disruption: 'Let us choose to let machines be machines, and let humans be humans.'"--Forbes "Provocative."--Fortune "Kai-Fu Lee believes China will be the next tech-innovation superpower and in his new (and first) book, AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order, he explains why. Taiwan-born Lee is perfectly positioned for the task."--New York Magazine "Both a provocative and readable distillation of the conventional wisdom on AI supremacy, as well as a challenge to it."--Financial Times "AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order, by Kai-Fu Lee, about the ways that artificial intelligence is reshaping the world and the economic upheaval new technology will generate. We need to start thinking now about how to address these gigantic changes."--Senator Mark Warner, when asked about the best book he's read all year, Politico "Kai-Fu Lee's smart analysis on human-AI coexistence is clear-eyed and a must-read. We must look deep within ourselves for the values and wisdom to guide AI's development." --Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft "In his brilliant book, Kai-Fu Lee applies his superpowers to predicting the disruptive shifts that will define the AI-powered future and proposes a revolutionary social contract that forges a new synergy between AI and the human heart." --Marc Benioff, Chairman & CEO Salesforce "AI is surpassing human intelligence in more and more domains, transforming the planet. Kai-Fu Lee has been at the epicentre of the AI revolution for thirty years and has now written the definitive guide." --Erik Brynjolfsson, professor, MIT, bestselling co-author of The Second Machine Age and Machine, Platform, Crowd "Kai-Fu Lee is at the forefront of the coming AI revolution, helping us transcend the limitations of thought, reach, and vision. This seminal book on AI is a must read for anyone serious about understanding the future of our species." --Peter Diamandis, Executive Founder, Singularity University; bestselling author of Abundance and BOLD. "Truly one of the wisest and most surprising takes on AI. Kai-Fu Lee connects it with humans in a logical yet inspiring way. You'll find this book illuminating and exciting in equal measure." --Chris Anderson, Head of TED "In this riveting page-turner, one of the founding fathers of China's AI industry tells the inside story of China'a rise as an AI superpower, and shares his inspiring recipe for us flourishing rather than floundering with AI." --Prof. Max Tegmark, professor, MIT and bestselling author of Life 3.0: Being Human in the age of AI. "Kai-Fu Lee's experience as an AI pioneer, top investor, and cancer survivor has led to this brilliant book about global technology. AI Superpowers gives us a guide to a future that celebrates all the benefits that AI will bring, while cultivating what is unique about our humanity. It's one of those books you read and think, 'Why are people reading any other book right now when this is so clearly the one they need to be reading?'" --Arianna Huffington, founder, HuffPost, and founder & CEO, Thrive Global. "Kai-Fu Lee has a deep understanding of the science behind the recent progress in AI as well as of China's growth as an AI technological superpower. In this book, he shares illuminating insights on how AI is likely to transform our societies and change its economic and political landscapes, always with the eye of one who cares about humanity and asks us to choose our future wisely." --Yoshua Bengio, scientific director of MILA, deep learning pioneer and co-author of Deep Learning "Kai-Fu Lee may have the most comprehensive view of the global technology scene of any living person." --Alan Murray, President, FORTUNE " AI is already presenting new economic opportunities - and new problems of governance - for the United States and China. To deal with this breakthrough, we first must understand how it is being applied to transform our lives and our economies. AI Superpowers is a superb primer on this important driver of change." --George Shultz, former U.S. Secretary of State "Kai-Fu Lee has great insights on one of today's most exciting and important technological trends. China's rapid development and commitment to the future should bring an interesting and exciting challenge to the U.S.: the game is on." -John Chen, Chairman & CEO, Blackberry "Kai-Fu Lee has been part of the AI revolution for decades. Now, in this fascinating and galvanizing book, he puts into perspective China's role in the emergence of AI superpowers onto the global scene. He also gives us an optimistic view of a future where, working together with AI systems, people can augment and amplify many aspects of work and life." --Daniela Rus, professor and director, MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. "A unique book by one of the leading pioneers of the field of AI. Kai-Fu Lee is a top notch researcher, business executive and investor. He tells the tale of AI - in China and the US - better than anyone else. A great read!" --Sebastian Thrun, Rebel, and founder, Udacity " Kai-Fu Lee has a message for Westerners that should be heard loudly: the Chinese are coming and are positioned to dominate the AI era. As an American technologist, the book well laid out a cautionary tale for my fellow Silicon Valley inhabitants." --Robert Scoble, Futurist "Kai-Fu Lee's analysis of the perils and promises of AI is clear, convincing, technically sophisticated, deeply personal, and humane. Reading this book has given me a new way to think about the technological future of China, the United States, and the world." --James Fallows, The Atlantic, author of China Airborne and Our Towns. "Nobody understands the complex of issues that will drive the explosive development of artificial intelligence in China and the U.S. better than Kai-Fu Lee. He is a te

About the Author

DR. KAI-FU LEE is the chairman and CEO of Sinovation Ventures, a leading technology-savvy investment firm focusing on developing the next generation of Chinese high-tech companies. Prior to founding Sinovation in 2009, Dr. Lee was the president of Google China. Previously, he held executive positions at Microsoft, SGI, and Apple.