Together, we read.
San Francisco Public Library proudly announces the 20th One City One Book selection: The Worlds I See: Curiosity, Exploration, and Discovery at the Dawn of AI by Fei-Fei Li.
In The Worlds I See, visionary computer scientist Li shares her remarkable journey from a childhood in China to becoming one of the most influential voices in artificial intelligence. As a teenager immigrating to the U.S. with her parents, Li faced the hardships of poverty, cultural displacement, and uncertainty—experiences that instilled in her a profound empathy and determination. Through education and relentless curiosity, she rose to shape the future of AI, becoming a trailblazer in a field often lacking in diversity. Li's memoir blends her personal story with insights into the scientific process, showing how her life experiences shaped her belief that technology must serve humanity.
Woven throughout the book are powerful themes of immigration, identity, mentorship and the ethical responsibilities of innovation. Li makes a passionate case for building technology with care, inclusion, and compassion, and she warns against the dangers of allowing AI to be driven solely by profit or power. Her reflections are both candid and hopeful, urging readers to consider not just what technology can do, but what it should do.
The Worlds I See is a moving, thought-provoking memoir that invites readers to imagine a future where science and human values grow together.
"AI wasn't a phenomenon, or a disruption, or a puzzle, or a privilege. We were in the presence of a force of nature.” – Fei Fei Li, The Worlds I See
Dr. Fei-Fei Li is the Sequoia Professor in the Computer Science Department at Stanford University and Co-Director of Stanford’s Human-Centered AI Institute. She previously led Stanford’s AI Lab and served as Vice President at Google, where she was Chief Scientist of AI/ML at Google Cloud. She is also Co-founder and CEO of World Labs, an AI company focused on spatial intelligence and generative AI.
Internationally recognized as one of the pioneers of modern artificial intelligence, Dr. Li is the inventor of ImageNet, a landmark project that helped launch the deep learning revolution. She has published more than 400 scientific papers and continues to shape the field through research in computer vision, machine learning, and AI for healthcare.
In addition to her scientific achievements, Dr. Li has advised national and international leaders on the ethical development of AI, from the U.S. Senate to the United Nations. She is an elected member of the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Medicine, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Her memoir, The Worlds I See: Curiosity, Exploration, and Discovery at the Dawn of AI (2023), shares her personal journey as an immigrant, scientist, and leader at the forefront of artificial intelligence.
Showcase Event: Dr. Fei-Fei Li in Conversation with Adam Lashinsky – Dec. 17, 6 p.m., Main Library, Koret Auditorium
Discover the story behind San Francisco’s 2025 One City One Book selection, The Worlds I See, as Dr. Fei-Fei Li sits down with technology journalist Adam Lashinsky, Editor-At-Large at the SF Standard.
This program is sponsored by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.
- What were your first impressions of Dr. Li’s story, and how did her background shape your understanding of her work in AI?
- Dr. Li draws connections between her immigrant experience and her scientific journey. How do those personal experiences influence her approach to research and innovation?
- The book raises the question of what it means for machines to “see.” How did her explanation of computer vision shift or expand your own understanding of AI?
- What role does mentorship and community play in Dr. Li’s career? How does she, in turn, use her position to mentor and open doors for others?
- Were there particular moments in her journey that you found especially inspiring, surprising, or challenging to read about?
- Dr. Li stresses the importance of human-centered AI. What does that concept mean to you, and why do you think it matters in today’s technological landscape?
- The book often balances deeply technical concepts with personal narrative. How effective was this balance for you as a reader?
- How does Dr. Li challenge stereotypes about who becomes a scientist or what a scientist looks like?
- What ethical concerns around AI does Dr. Li highlight, and how do you think society should respond to them?
- After finishing the book, what questions do you still have about AI, and how has Dr. Li’s perspective shaped the way you think about the future of technology?
- Dr. Li often describes science as a creative pursuit. In what ways did you see creativity shaping her research and problem-solving?
- How does her story illuminate the challenges and opportunities of being a woman in a male-dominated field?
- The book touches on resilience in the face of setbacks. How did Dr. Li’s responses to obstacles resonate with your own experiences of perseverance?
- How does Dr. Li’s vision for the future of AI connect to broader social issues such as equity, justice, or access to technology?
- If you could ask Dr. Li one question after reading this book, what would it be and why?
ONE OF BARACK OBAMA'S RECOMMENDED BOOKS ON AI * FINANCIAL TIMES BEST BOOKS OF 2023
From Dr. Fei-Fei Li, one of TIME's 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL in AI, comes "a powerful plea for keeping humanity at the centre of our latest technological transformation" (Financial Times).
“An affecting memoir … Her story of overcoming adversity inspires. This brings new dimension and humanity to discussions of AI.”
—Publishers Weekly
"An inspiring personal journey from immigrant childhood to trailblazing scientist, The Worlds I See advocates for overcoming societal barriers and makes a compelling case for a human-centric, ethical approach to AI."
―Jennifer Doudna, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, CRISPR pioneer, and coauthor of A Crack in Creation
"A fascinating and galvanizing memoir, The Worlds I See is a testament to the power and possibility of humanity—one told through Fei-Fei Li’s own remarkable trajectory from humble origins to becoming one of AI’s key visionaries, and in her essential work to develop and use that technology to improve the human condition."
―Reid Hoffman, co-founder of Linkedin and Inflection.AI, bestselling author of Impromptu
"Fei-Fei Li was the first computer vision researcher to truly understand the power of big data and her work opened the floodgates for deep learning. She delivers an urgent, clear-eyed account of the awesome potential—and danger—of the AI technology that she helped to unleash and her call for action and collective responsibility is desperately needed at this pivotal moment in history."
―Geoff Hinton, Turing Award winner, and Professor of Computer Science, University of Toronto
"Readers looking for a portal into a science that is not often illuminated or connected back to the human experience may especially enjoy this memoir." ―Booklist
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