James Liang
This book presents a groundbreaking philosophy for the AI era, proposing that as AI takes over most jobs, the mission of humanity and the meaning of life will be found in the pursuit of innovation and heritage.Unlike other life forms, humanity’s essence lies in its ability to innovate and pass on knowledge, as human civilization thrives on the accumulation of innovations that become its heritage. When contrasted with non-living entities, humanity’s essence is evolution-seen as the innovation and heritage of genes. From this perspective, humanity must preserve and amplify its essence by prioritizing innovation, not just as a driver of economic success but as a pathway to a fulfilling and meaningful existence. This is one of the key reasons why humans should lead innovation, even if AI surpasses us in many domains. Another philosophical justification to lead innovation is our inherent ability to define the values and purpose necessary to steer humanity’s pursuit of innovation and heritage, ensuring long-term prosperity for all. The book explores innovationism as a philosophy, comparing it to other schools of thought-particularly its perspectives on wealth, happiness and well-being. The book also explores critical global challenges, such as the population crisis and climate change, through the lens of 'Innovationism,' offering a comprehensive framework for addressing sustainability issues.A national 'innovation capacity model' is presented, highlighting the critical roles of large populations and interconnectedness in fostering innovation. Innovation Capacity = Population Size * Population Capability * (Internal Exchange + External Exchange)The book also examines leading innovative nations and offers a thought-provoking prediction about the outcome of the ongoing U.S.-China tech competition. Additionally, it providespractical strategies for governments, businesses, and individuals to promote sustainable innovation.The book seeks to address profound questions below:• Why should humans not delegate innovation to AI?• Why is population a strategic and scarce resource in the race of innovation?• Why is US innovation poised to recover in the long term, despite having appeared to lag behind China for many years?
