Raising AI - by De Kai

About the Book

"Pioneering technologist and AI ethicist sounds the alarm on AI as a threat to humanity if left unregulated. De Kai suggests that we all need to act as parents and to train our AI to avoid this future"--

Book Synopsis

From the pioneer of translation AIs like Google, Yahoo, and Bing translate, an accessible and authoritative guide to AI--as well as a framework of empowerment for a future with our artificial children.

Included in J.P. Morgan's Summer Reading List
Included in The Next Big Idea Club's June 2025 Must-Read Books

In his new book, AI trailblazer De Kai explores how widespread use of AI is bringing about an automation of thought, impacting our unconscious. He brings decades of his paradigm-shifting work at the nexus of AI and society to help audiences make sense of our interactions with AI at both personal and societal levels--ethically and responsibly.

What should each of us do as the responsible adults in the room? In Hollywood movies, AI destroys humanity. But under the influence of AI upon our minds, humanity may destroy humanity before AI even gets a chance.

Plainspoken and visionary, Raising AI guides us through our shifting attitudes and ideas in a world of AI cohabitants. Society can not only survive the AI revolution but flourish in a more humane, compassionate, and understanding world where we all play our part--alongside our artificial children.

Review Quotes

Included in J.P. Morgan's Summer Reading List
Included in The Next Big Idea Club's June 2025 Must-Read Books

"In this clear and engaging volume, De Kai, a pioneer in machine learning and natural language processing, invites readers into the history of AI to explore deeply philosophical questions on the nature of human thinking and belief. With humor, diagrams, and plentiful examples, De Kai takes readers below the surface of popular chatbots and search engines to the broad field of scientific inquiry living at the intersection of psychology, philosophy, and computer science, reflecting researchers' observations about human intelligence...Ultimately, this primer argues that the stakes are high, the situation is urgent, and we all have a role to play. By engaging with AI consciously and ethically, we can help shape better systems--by first calling forth our better selves. A deeply human dive into the AIs that are transforming our world."
--Kirkus Reviews

"Raising AI is a compelling treatise grounded in studies of ethics and technology that charts a path toward greater understanding between biological and artificial intelligences."
--Foreword Reviews

"De Kai, a "pioneer of translation AIs," is a worthy guide to the dangers and possibilities of the technology. Fascinating and mercifully comprehensible to layreaders, Raising AI situates humans as the adults in the room and explores the ways in which we can and should engage with our "artificial children." Why not give your dread a little break?"
--LitHub

"In his beautiful, even profound, new book, Raising AI: An Essential Guide to Parenting Our Future, AI luminary De Kai reframes the AI dialogue. They're not tools, slaves or gods, they're our children."
--Forbes

About the Author

De Kai is a pioneer of AI. For his contributions, he was honored by the Association for Computational Linguistics as one of its Founding Fellows. He holds joint appointments at HKUST's Department of Computer Science and Engineering and Berkeley's International Computer Science Institute. De Kai is Independent Director of the AI ethics think tank The Future Society and was one of eight inaugural members of Google's AI Ethics council.