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AI Superpowers
- China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order
- Narrated by: Mikael Naramore
- Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins
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Publisher's Summary
THE NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, AND WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER
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.
In AI Superpowers, 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.
What listeners say about AI Superpowers
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- MP
- 09-26-18
Compelled to listen at 2x speed
The writing was stilted. The author or whoever crafted the prose is the champion of buzzwords and cliches, putting the presentation into a slow motion slogfest. For me it was work getting to gratifying moments of stimulation. If exceptional nonfiction writers of Artificial Intelligence (AI) exist, who are they?
I doubt the narrator understood what he was reading most of the time or else even he could not rescue it. Unlike the audiobook's sample 3:25 min, almost all the book's narration is slow and mechanical. Yet the performer had truly outstanding pronunciation. I don't normally listen at high speeds but found it best to listen at 2x, and easier to understand at this higher speed. Try to tune out the cliches when you listen.
High Points:
1. Kai-Fu Lee explained how his experience with lymphoma (cancer) changed his relationship with artificial intelligence (AI). He returned to his youthful viewpoint that AI will show humans who we are in addition to improving our lives. He decided to change his habits and spend more time with his family. This was sincere and inspiring; I found it very moving even though it was expressed in an unnatural way as if the author were in a straight jacket.
2. Author weaved in references to famous Chinese entrepreneurs to show how Chinese culture and schools came to embrace AI in contrast to the West. They indeed love AI - it's in their blood, apparently. Their government backs this science financially and in other ways. It's about how China is implementing AI quickly on a grand scale and everybody there is into it. This made me understand that it's different in China, that AI is championed.
3. Author gives opinions of where AI is going and why. Kai-Fu Lee knows his stuff irrespective of his writing weakness; one naturally respects him for his expertise.
Low Points:
1. Author enthuses about Chinese entrepreneurs who steal intellectual property and accuse competitors of imagined crimes as China's "gladiators." He revels in this. Well if you're from China, this might be a high point due to national pride and even addiction. Lee is painfully careful to in no way be seen as criticizing the Party, not even indirectly, and this makes him come across as stilted. He retreats into slogans and platitudes so blatantly that I entertained thoughts of getting my credit back.
2. Author's dystopia prediction of what AI is going to do in the short run, namely, concentrate wealth more and more, left me feeling poorly. He made me feel that personal expression will be restricted too much.
Here's why I think some people should slog through the book: there aren't many good books on AI, so take what you can get. Further, I did it so I think you should do it - just kidding on that point.
161 people found this helpful
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- Matthew Duncan
- 10-05-18
Mad-Max vs Gladiator vs Mother Theresa?
I almost came away from this book with a sense of hope and euphoria. Kai-fu's NDE knocked him out of the maximum-impact mindset, and elevated his thoughts to a much higher level benevolent, compassionate and socially responsible vista. But, like Bostrom, Tegmark, Kurzweil et al, he assumes there is a overlooking entity that will guide us to the mountaintop he describes ... while noting that all these corporations, governments and rogue militaries are hell-bent (mad max) on winning. He somehow glorifies China's wanton IP theft and copycat mentality as the initiation process to entrepreneurship. He is probably right that China has the ingredients to surpass the USA in AI, given it's massive data (AI power input), maniacal corporate initiative, insane levels of VC funding, millions of stary-eyed AI students, cut-throat internet industry and a government willing to cut corners and take safety risks that will hobble the U.S. But ... that is ONLY if the optimization response surface is a smooth gradient accent with incremental improvements driven by the noted factors. But, is it? He does a fantastic job of reviewing the reports of job (tasks) attrition due to AI productivity enhancements ... and notes how this will effect different classes of workers. But, is China building an AI card-house ... with energy input from its feedback loop driving the temple higher. .. while leaving a pyramid of useless-class people behind? Isnt China at a much higher risk of collapse, with the structure of it's population and this exalted gladiator mentality? The way I see it, China will either burn the card house underneath it ... or will succeed in accomplishing Kai-fu's dream. In the first case, we ought to worry about the global geopolitical repercussions. Will the 'hordes' (disenchanted) of highly skilled hackers go on a cyber mad-max rampage across the mega-connected world? And then, what of the world's response, with AI driven counterattacks? And then, when there are millions of conflict points, how do you contain the respose to massive destruction events that take out critical infrastructure and systems?
Unless the USA/China/Russia form tightly knit cooperation pacts and joint development programs right now, its going to get ugly fast.
33 people found this helpful
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- John Brynjolfsson
- 10-22-18
Indespensible, fact filled, captivating narrative on AI.
Brilliant case for authors’ thesis.
That 1) AI’s impact will be great, 2) China has more data and more granular data for powering AI, 3) China central planning of AI venture capital, policy and infrastructure is superior to US/market, so China will pull ahead in race, 4) That too rapid AI advancement will displace too many workers, so rather than nothing, or Universal Basic Income, credits for community volunteering are needed, 5) Love and relationships are meaning of life.
Author is world renowned expert on 1, 2, 3! On rest I am less convinced. Yes, as human he can comment on human condition, including mortality. He is honest and vulnerable. Kudos.
On UBI, etc, he is an amateur.
I personally was unable to reconcile his call for more centrally planned funding, to accelerate advanced AI technology, even to point of acknowledging funding beyond what is financially viable, in the interest of advancing technology. Then long lecture on how then additional central planning (retraining, reduction in work week, redistribution of income) is needed to solve social problems that advancement creates. And hegoes on to say the meaning of life does not revolve around advancement but around old fashioned love and relationships. (I agree, but then find it odd that subsidizing accelerating of advancement is advised in same breath.)
12 people found this helpful
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- James S.
- 09-29-18
Controversial, otherwise even-handed; non-tech
Be mindful of why people are giving this book low votes: I'm sure many westerners will find Lee's tone in this book somewhat condescending with respect to Chinese dominance over the rest of the world. But look past the condescension, and you might find great value here. He gives an up to the minute, non-technical report of technologies relating to AI, and China's rapid developments in the area since its overnight adoption of AI in 2013. He offers an overall even-handed perspective, despite his exaggerated Chinese nationalism, with emphasis on the benefits and advantages China has gained, and will continue to gain, by copy-catting, pirating, and cheating.
Lee's discussion on the pros and cons of universal basic income (UBI) trivialises its complexities. And I completely disagree with what I took to be his opinion of what careers will mean to humanity in the near future; his opinion leans toward the creation of more caring, dutiful work that citizens are to be tasked with in order to justify their base pay. I lean more heavily toward allowing and incentivizing people with the freedom to innovate cutting-edge and worthwhile products and ideas, rather than treating work as tasks that all citizens on UBI are dutifully obligated to complete. This seems to be the major difference in the majority mindset between the Free World and Communist-type Nations.
Overall a worthwhile book, despite the exaggerated Chinese nationalism (this might be a pro for Chinese listeners).
37 people found this helpful
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- Han
- 03-12-19
Questionable if the book stayed objective
The book started out analytically enough, and focused on the things relevant to the title. Towards the end, it was more of a personal narrative, and whole that's not necessarily a bad thing, it does raise the question if the conclusions drawn at the end are objective and analytically correct, or more of a emotionally motivated idealism. Love is a powerful thing after all, but not a great thing for analyzing trends rationally.
8 people found this helpful
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- See Reverse
- 04-06-19
Ego. Nationalism. Recovery.
This book is built on a foundation of ego, nationalism, and recovery. With experience across Apple, Google, TED, and various start-ups, Kai-Fu Lee definitely has the experience and credibility to write about AI. The early part of the book is strong on Chinese Nationalism, which is relevant but a bit over the top. The middle portion of the book focuses on the ego of the author as he strived for prestige in the AI community. The final chapters deal with the impact of AI on society, cast in the light of a personal struggle of the author. There are moments of clarity in this journey, but overall there's just too must distraction to what could have been a compelling book on the impact of the rise of AI on the balance of world power.
25 people found this helpful
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- Trinity
- 01-10-19
Enthralling!
Throughout this book Lee goes from describing the history, technology, theories, development and eventual implementation of artificial intelligence as he himself grapples with his own definition of humanity. On one hand, he points to the dangers of exacerbated inequality that this new technology presents for millions while on the other he draws from personal life experiences to paint a picture where society coexists and benefits from this emerging revolution.
7 people found this helpful
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- A. Solomon
- 02-24-19
Repetitive propaganda
Although perhaps I shouldn't have expected an in depth review of AI from a book entitled AI Superpowers, I think it was reasonable to expect more from one of the preeminent minds in the field. Unfortunately, the first 2/3 of the book was repetitive orphans about how and why China will win the "war" over AI. The final 1/3 was about how he learned to value love.
Beyond not learning much from the book, the production was not the best. You could easily hear the edits because of changes in tone and pitch of the reader.
17 people found this helpful
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- Reader
- 06-07-19
Narcissistic
Had to stop reading after investing 1 1/2 hours. Book on how China utilized intellectual property of other countries and turns them into better products- not only for China but for the rest of the world. Maybe I should have invested more of my valuable time, but I got turned off in a big way.
15 people found this helpful
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- Pablo Lema
- 10-16-18
A Self Serving Tale
I found this book hard to swallow. Although the information on AI is quite interesting and up to date, my Lee's clear disdain for Silicon Valley and American entrepreneurs, comes across as self-serving as he is a multi-decade Silicon Valley insider. He also fails to hide his enthusiasm for China and the generally illegal and unethical practices of China's startup industry that he himself describes.
It is hard to believe Mr. Lee does not realize how biased he really is and this made an otherwise palatable book hard to enjoy.
6 people found this helpful
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- J.F.Penn
- 12-07-18
I learned something new every 10 minutes!
Fantastic book. A must read for anyone with futurist interests and a hunger for learning about AI and China.
5 people found this helpful
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- Jagoda
- 04-15-19
biased.little on ai much on how great's China.
could not finish. expected to learn facts about so, but was confronted with repetitive stories about how great and essential copying is, how great Chinese 'gladiator entrepreneurs' are and how they dwarf the silicon valley counterparts. biased and uncritically enthusiastic about turbo capitalism ąnd competition.
21 people found this helpful
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- D. S. Basi
- 06-16-19
THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
The author very cleverly avoids the elephant in the room, namely China and its undemocratic, autocratic regime which has brought a dystopia and will be going further down that path with the development of AI.
I am fully aware of China's development of recent years and how China has propelling its people out of poverty, very impressive! But regardless, it has no or very limited culture of freedom, data protection and human rights. And the fact people in China are fed the truth according to the Chinese state, and the country refuses to accept as facts as the rest of the world sees facts, it is impossible to engage in a truthful dialogue with China. From birth to the grave, which obviously includes school years, the Chinese people are fed propaganda, to the point most Chinese are unable to see the world in based on truth facts, and are ignorant of their limited world view. With this in consideration, China is very big threat to the people of China and to democracy and freedom around the world.
24 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 12-08-18
Very smart man but very bias .. I mean Very very
The writer is annoyingly bias in China vs America AI battle for probably private reasons
4 people found this helpful
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- Matterbeam
- 01-12-19
Stealing is good! China is #1! Send me money.
A failure in trying to convince you that the author is special, that amassing data magically produces results, that stealing is good and China is magic. It's best taken as a propaganda piece by an apologetic self-promoter.
18 people found this helpful
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- Simon Huggins
- 07-21-19
Excellent overview of the state of AI and us
Really insightful analysis of the history, current state and future of AI and Machine Learning, with a smattering of humanism appearing towards the end after the author's own brush with mortality.
The latter part feels like a bit of an afterthought, opening up the possibility for a further book with more analysis - this side of things seemed a lot less based on experience and research, being a relatively new part of his life.
I would like to have heard the book read in the author's voice, but the narrator did a good job of keeping my interest, with only one very odd extra insertion, which I'm guessing covered an omission or late edit.
8 people found this helpful
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- nimgrg
- 03-12-19
Okay read
Not sure I agree about the conclusion which ends up leaning towards love is the answer to some of the dilemma questions we will face because of AI disruption. The book loses its steam towards the end.
2 people found this helpful
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- Rayder
- 11-29-18
Very important facts of AI
I think everyone should ready this book to be able to understand the benefits of AI will bring to us all
2 people found this helpful
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- Miles
- 12-04-19
Very informative, but self serving
The author, Kai-Fu Lee, clearly has the experience of both Silicon Valley and the Chinese tech scene to write an authoritative book about AI innovation, and this book is certainly very informative and thought-provoking. However, the book should be read in the context of the author's situation. Kai-Fu Lee runs a Venture Capital company investing in Chinese tech and AI startups. His success is 100% tied to having a close relationship with the Chinese state and their ongoing patronage. The glaring omission in the book is any criticism of the Chinese government. For example, the author puts the rapid advance of the Chinese tech sector down to a combination of State support and the work ethic of the Chinese 'warrior' entrepreneurs. Nowhere does he mention that China has undertaken state-sponsored IP theft from the West on an industrial scale, whilst at the same time introducing regulations that have prevented western companies from competing in the Chinese market. He also completely avoids mentioning how the Chinese government is using the Internet, data and AI to control their citizens and stamp out all government opposition and/or dissent. The book is worth reading, but the claims and predictions should be treated with a big dose of suspicion and scepticism. The author's overriding goal is to show the Chinese tech scene in a very positive light both to cement his relationship with the Chinese government and to attract new investment to his VC fund.
1 person found this helpful
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- LoDi
- 11-12-19
Generic overview of AI present and future
I expected an in depth view of AI use today and a clear vision of what is already happening for tge future.
Apart from the generic vision of AI applications, the book focuses on AI history and not clear deadlines for future implementations of current technologies. The authors annoyingly uses the same jargon and terms, repeating basic concepts multiple times. The last chapters focus on a sentimental view of how politicians should already frame AI to avoid an apocalyptic future.
Sentimental ending which is typical of a poor quality book.
1 person found this helpful
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- Derek
- 10-30-18
Open minded people will be amazed by this book
Ignore the bad reviews this book is fantastic and illustrates a valid point. China has built out a digitial eco system with its own tech giants equivalent to facebook, amazon, google... and will provide fierce competition for the upcoming AI race and beyond.
The authors argument for this is Chinas unique culture that doesn't respect things like patents... I would add to this argument that China has been ruthless in the last few decades building up its industrial base, and will be just as ruthless in the AI race. Where the limits on productivity are based on morality and the creepy factor that others do not want to cross...
Most are too blinded by their pride to see the competitive threat, hence the bad reviews.
7 people found this helpful
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- News On
- 09-16-19
The new world order is already upon us.
Kai Fu Lee has a unique insight into both worlds that the general public doesn’t get to see through public media outlets.
It is also a personal account of how he was forced to face his own mortality when diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, and realized he had lived his life as a machine. His cancer diagnosis was from an old crude system, and AI with its more advanced and accurate diagnosis gave him a brighter outlook for his personal life expectancy.
This book both contradicts and confirms peoples views on China and the USA , depending on certain biases.
The topic and points of discussion are important to read or hear, but will be hard for people who are unwilling to look for answers to problems and prefer to remain in their blissful simulation based on a bias and conditioning of past entrenched systems, that will become obsolete with or without their willingness to adopt the technology.
AI Superpowers is an excellent book for those interested in the economic consequences and global social system which are then linked back to domestic AI competency and hierarchy. Universal income possibilities and downfalls are discussed as well as the global impact on types of future jobs, human employment and our ability to lead a fulfilling life.
It raises the question of, ‘What does it mean to be human ?’
Love is the one thing that gives us life and makes us human.
AI has the ability to give humans a more prosperous and longer life to enjoy as a human, but it is ultimately our choice as to how we embrace, use or abuse AI.
AI will affect all human social systems.
The new world order is already upon us.
3 people found this helpful
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- GregR
- 09-22-20
Fascinating Look at Chinese AI Scene
Here in the West we dont get a good look at the amazing progress in the last 10 years in AI in the worlds largest AI market. Thus we are blind to the progress China is making in not only the development of AI research but the commercialization of AI . Must read if you want to understand the Global commercialization of AI, especially in Fintech, Retail and online services.
1 person found this helpful
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- A serravalle
- 09-21-19
Detailed and accessible
This book provides a completely non-technical explanation of all the most important societal impacts of AI. Lee never tries to explain what a neural network is, or how ML is different to AI. He focuses on the characteristics that make US and China so far ahead of the world in the field. How entrepreneurs will implement these technologies, and how economies will be affected. I think this is the most important book I’ve read.
1 person found this helpful
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- Kyte Gurner
- 05-11-19
A Timely Read
This book is a timely read to get a better understanding of the current and future situation of emerging information technology.
I have found that most common literature on AI and other emerging information technologies have a Western flavor to it. Reading this book has given me a brief insight into the thinking process and cultural attitudes of the other major (and maybe even more influential?) global leader - China - in shaping the future of technology.
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- Alex
- 03-12-19
Enjoyable!
Really enjoyed this book. Great intro to the rise of China in the coming AI age.
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- Robert Starreveld
- 04-19-21
Eye opening!
💯 Recommend this audio book, really eye opening to the possibilities of AI and its social implications! Worth a listen for everyone!
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- Anonymous User
- 02-28-21
Great. Interesting perspective from an expert.
Was written and performed well. Very interesting take on the future. A must read for AI fans.
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- Anonymous User
- 11-12-20
"REALLY, REALLY BORING"
struggled to finish it, the narrator has a monotone voice that sends you to sleep. I thought it would be exciting and tell me something I didn't know. not recommended.
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- Liam D
- 09-28-20
CCP propaganda
Interesting but horrifying book.
Hopefully things don’t pan out this way. Genocidal CCP as a world AI leader will be very bad for global human rights/freedom and put us all in a dark place.
Look at what they already do in Xinjaing, Hong Kong, Tibet, systematic hacking and stealing of IP, threaten Taiwan, cover up Covid etc etc.