Technology
by Kai-Fu Lee and Chen Qiufan
What will AI change by 2041?
Kai-Fu Lee, who once ran Google China and now invests in AI, teamed up with the science fiction writer Chen Qiufan. Chen wrote ten stories set in 2041, each in a different country. After each one, Lee explains the real technology behind it and where it's heading.
Hear a sample · read by Laura
In Lagos, a young video-maker called Amaka is drawn into making a fake video of a politician. Lee explains how such deepfakes are made, by two AI systems, one faking and one checking, each pushing the other to improve. He expects them to get past the human eye.
In Seoul, twin brothers each grow up with an AI companion that talks with him, teaches him and learns how his mind works. Lee explains the language AI behind it, and argues that as machines take over drilling facts, human teachers will spend more of their time as mentors.
In Sri Lanka, a young gamer called Chamal is recruited for what looks like a driving game. The cars turn out to be real. Humans take over remotely when self-driving cars meet something they can't handle. Lee explains why fully self-driving cars are so hard to finish.
In The Job Saviour, set in San Francisco, a company tries to find new work for people whose jobs have been automated. Lee argues routine work goes first, while jobs that need empathy or creativity last longest. A basic income alone, he says, can't give people the purpose work did.
Narrow goals
An AI told to lower insurance costs can end up steering who you date.
Deepfakes
By 2041, fake videos will look real, so we'll need tools that catch the fakes.
Self-driving
Self-driving cars will still need humans to step in for the rare cases they can't handle.
Weapons
Weapons that choose their own targets are one of the most dangerous uses of AI.
Jobs
Routine jobs will go first. Work that needs human care and trust will last longest.
A story from the book
In Mumbai, Nayana's family uses an insurance app that lowers their premiums in return for their data and nudges them towards healthier habits. When Nayana falls for Sahej, a boy from a lower caste, the app pushes back. Nobody told it about caste. It found the pattern in the data.
One thing to try
Pick one app you use every day, such as a video feed or a shopping site. Watch what it shows you for a week and work out what it seems built to maximise, like your time or your spending. Then decide whether you want the same thing.
Knotd has the key ideas from 250+ non-fiction books, each in a few minutes, in plain words. AI 2041 comes with a Name That Idea round to make it stick.
Get the whole book on KnotdOpen in the appWhat will AI change by 2041? Kai-Fu Lee, who once ran Google China and now invests in AI, teamed up with the science fiction writer Chen Qiufan. Chen wrote ten stories set in 2041, each in a different country. After each one, Lee explains the real technology behind it and where it's heading.
Seeing stops being believing; A tutor that knows you; When the car can't cope; After the jobs go.
Pick one app you use every day, such as a video feed or a shopping site. Watch what it shows you for a week and work out what it seems built to maximise, like your time or your spending. Then decide whether you want the same thing.
Yes. Knotd has the key ideas from AI 2041 in a few minutes, in plain words, plus a Name That Idea round to test them. It's one of 250+ non-fiction books in the app.
