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Jenna � ❀ �'s Reviews > AI 2041: Ten Visions for Our Future
AI 2041: Ten Visions for Our Future
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by
Jenna � ❀ �'s review
bookshelves: economics, essays, non-fiction, story-collection, technology
Dec 17, 2021
bookshelves: economics, essays, non-fiction, story-collection, technology
Such a unique concept for a book!
When I started reading it, I had no idea it's a blend of fiction and nonfiction. The author, who has worked in the field of AI for decades, wanted to make the topic more accessible and so he had someone write short stories to illustrate the technology and lifestyles he predicts for the year 2041.
Anyone else find it weird to realize that's just twenty years away?? God, I feel old!
After each story, Kai-Fu Lee wrote an essay about the technology the stories were based on. He described where we are now and what work and research still needs to be done.
The essays extremely interesting though I wearied of the stories after a while. Short stories aren't my thing. The first couple I was able to enjoy, but then I just wanted the nonfiction and skimmed the rest. Short stories always leave me feeling dissatisfied, as they're only able to touch the surface.
Topics include the following and more:
• Autonomous vehicles
• Deep learning
• Deepfake videos
• Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR), and X Reality (XR) and their likely applications in the near future
• Job loss as AI takeover becomes more and more common
• Implementation of UBI (Universal Basic Income)
• Synthetic Biology
• Quantum computers
I found all of these to be fascinating though none were entirely new to me. Still, if you enjoy reading about technology and artificial intelligence, especially where it is headed in the near future, the essay sections of this book make for a stimulating and engaging read.
And if you enjoy short stories, you should enjoy these as well. For me, it would have been a five star book had it only been nonfiction, but I appreciate the concept of writing a book like this to draw more readers.
When I started reading it, I had no idea it's a blend of fiction and nonfiction. The author, who has worked in the field of AI for decades, wanted to make the topic more accessible and so he had someone write short stories to illustrate the technology and lifestyles he predicts for the year 2041.
Anyone else find it weird to realize that's just twenty years away?? God, I feel old!
After each story, Kai-Fu Lee wrote an essay about the technology the stories were based on. He described where we are now and what work and research still needs to be done.
The essays extremely interesting though I wearied of the stories after a while. Short stories aren't my thing. The first couple I was able to enjoy, but then I just wanted the nonfiction and skimmed the rest. Short stories always leave me feeling dissatisfied, as they're only able to touch the surface.
Topics include the following and more:
• Autonomous vehicles
• Deep learning
• Deepfake videos
• Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR), and X Reality (XR) and their likely applications in the near future
• Job loss as AI takeover becomes more and more common
• Implementation of UBI (Universal Basic Income)
• Synthetic Biology
• Quantum computers
I found all of these to be fascinating though none were entirely new to me. Still, if you enjoy reading about technology and artificial intelligence, especially where it is headed in the near future, the essay sections of this book make for a stimulating and engaging read.
And if you enjoy short stories, you should enjoy these as well. For me, it would have been a five star book had it only been nonfiction, but I appreciate the concept of writing a book like this to draw more readers.
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Reading Progress
December 11, 2021
–
Started Reading
December 11, 2021
– Shelved
December 17, 2021
– Shelved as:
economics
December 17, 2021
– Shelved as:
essays
December 17, 2021
– Shelved as:
non-fiction
December 17, 2021
– Shelved as:
story-collection
December 17, 2021
– Shelved as:
technology
December 17, 2021
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-26 of 26 (26 new)
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message 1:
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Barbara K
(new)
Dec 17, 2021 06:50AM
Not a short story fan either, I’m afraid. Reading your topics list frightened me, especially Deep Fake. The ongoing assault on reality is already terrifying-I shudder to think what’s coming.
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Barbara K wrote: "Not a short story fan either, I’m afraid. Reading your topics list frightened me, especially Deep Fake. The ongoing assault on reality is already terrifying-I shudder to think what’s coming."The author paints a positive picture for the most part but warns of the dangers all of this could bring about. It is indeed frightening, some of this stuff, but I hope we humans will use our technology for the betterment of all. But there's a lot that will need to change in order to bring about the society where every human's basic needs are met.... even though most things will cost basically nothing, it depends on the companies losing their greed and it depends on governments being willing to tax the wealthiest to provide for all. Unfortunately, I'm pessimistic (realistic??) about those two things.
Those are some interesting subjects and I think I’d be scared to find out about deepfake videos. A book of essays might have been a better way to go but I kinda like the idea of a mixture of fiction and nonfiction.
This is sounding like a must read for me. The subject matter is just the sort of thing that intrigues me, both non-fiction and fiction and I even enjoy short stories, although I understand your feeling about short stories because they can often seem unfinished. It seems you're always finding books I have to read.
Well, my dear, if you haven't read The Secret Live of Church Ladies yet, I can promise you that you'll love that short story collection. (I'll pay for your copy if you don't!).
Jerry wrote: "This is sounding like a must read for me. The subject matter is just the sort of thing that intrigues me, both non-fiction and fiction and I even enjoy short stories, although I understand your fee..."Glad to help you find some more books to read, Jerry, though I'm sure you don't really need any assistance as we book lovers can never and will never catch up. You should definitely add this one though, since you're interested in the topic, both fiction and non.
Julie wrote: "Well, my dear, if you haven't read The Secret Live of Church Ladies yet, I can promise you that you'll love that short story collection. (I'll pay for your copy if you don't!)."I have no desire to read that one, Julie, or any collection of stories. Sorry!
Great review, Jenna. I don't know if I want to read this, but I think it might interest my son who wants to get into AI!
Some of that is so mind boggling, Jenna. It is also quite depressing, in my opinion. Great review. I'm sure the nonfiction would appeal more to me too.
Candi wrote: "Great review, Jenna. I don't know if I want to read this, but I think it might interest my son who wants to get into AI!"Your son is wise to get into AI, Candi. Not many fields are worth it for young people to get into because AI will be taking over in the very near future. AI might be one of the few areas where there will be jobs.
Barbara wrote: "Some of that is so mind boggling, Jenna. It is also quite depressing, in my opinion. Great review. I'm sure the nonfiction would appeal more to me too."Thanks, Barbara. I find it more exciting than depressing but that's because I'm a nerd who loves technology 🤓. That said, some of it is terrifying to contemplate.
This sounds quite unique Jenna, if not a little scary! Great review.
Maureen wrote: "This sounds quite unique Jenna, if not a little scary! Great review."Thanks, Maureen!
Great review, Jenna! It is weird to think 2041 is only twenty years away...I can't believe it's going to be 2022 in a couple weeks! But thinking back on how much progress has been made with technology since 2001, a lot of this seems possible. Good call out on the bend of nonfiction and fiction in the book, I would have suspected it to be fully nonfiction (and I share your preference for non-fiction vs. short stories).
Lisa wrote: "Great review, Jenna! It is weird to think 2041 is only twenty years away...I can't believe it's going to be 2022 in a couple weeks! But thinking back on how much progress has been made with technol..."Thanks, Lisa! I agree... it's weird to think it's going to be 2022 in just a couple weeks. I remember thinking the year 2000 was so far away, when I was little and now we're long past that.
Yes, Jenna, doesn’t 2022 already sound as a science fiction invention! Can’t believe we will have a year with that number! Well, did your book tell that we’ll be traveling in little private flying cars? That’s always what I think when contemplating 20 years from now!
Hanneke wrote: "Yes, Jenna, doesn’t 2022 already sound as a science fiction invention! Can’t believe we will have a year with that number! Well, did you book tell that we’ll be traveling in little private flying c..."Unfortunately, no, Hanneke; he doesn't predict we'll all have flying cars in twenty years. There will however most likely be only autonomous vehicles on the roads. No one will need to buy personal cars anymore because it'll be much cheaper to just have a car show up whenever you need it and take you where you need to go, like a robo-taxi. I look forward to that day! I don't mind driving but resent how much I have to pay to own a vehicle I use only once or twice a week. Bring on the robots! 🤖🚕
I always think about flying cars too.... wonder if that's from the Jetsons? Actually, he said by 2041, we should be living much more like the Jetsons.
Jenna, that is such a nice prospect! Yes, let’s live like the Jetsons!
Great review Jenna! I just put a hold on it at our library (though it’s still on order).
Merry wrote: "Great review Jenna! I just put a hold on it at our library (though it’s still on order)."Merry, I hope you'll find it every bit as interesting as I did!
Nice review, Jenna! I look back twenty years, and I do realize how far technology has come, but I'm not sure we can get all the way to autonomous vehicles in twenty years. Not so much because of technology, but because of liability issues, etc. We'll see. AI is moving right along, though.
Numidica wrote: "Nice review, Jenna! I look back twenty years, and I do realize how far technology has come, but I'm not sure we can get all the way to autonomous vehicles in twenty years. Not so much because of te..."Thank you, Numidica. Yes, looking back twenty years, we can see how much technology advances in that much time. The author shares your thoughts about getting autonomous vehicles on the road... it will be more a matter of liability and rules and regulations holding them back, but hopefully not for too long. I think once the majority of people sees they are much safer than human drivers, at least once autonomous vehicles are the only ones on the road, it will happen quickly. However, it's going to take some time for people to accept them and feel safe with them on the road.
Fantastic review Jenna! Technology confuses me now� let alone some in 2041! I get the same thing with short stories too
Lucy wrote: "Fantastic review Jenna! Technology confuses me now� let alone some in 2041! I get the same thing with short stories too"Thanks, Lucy! Maybe the tech in 2041 will do everything for us so you won't have to worry about being confused by how it works :)
Sounds like an interesting and thought-provoking read. Nice review.
Christi wrote: "Sounds like an interesting and thought-provoking read. Nice review."Thanks, Christi. It's definitely both interesting and thought-provoking. I hope you'll find it so too if you decide to read it.
