Worlds I See
by Fei-Fei Li
Stanford AI professor Fei-Fei Li's memoir from China to creating ImageNet, the dataset that launched modern deep learning and computer vision
"AI wasn't a phenomenon, or a disruption, or a puzzle, or a privilege. We were in the presence of a force of nature".
Editorial Summary
The Worlds I See is a story of science in the first person, documenting one of the century's defining moments from the inside. Stanford computer science professor and Stanford Human-Centered AI Institute Co-Director Fei-Fei Li chronicles her journey from Chinese immigrant to becoming the inventor of ImageNet, the critical large-scale dataset that contributed to the latest developments in deep learning and artificial intelligence. Known to the world as the creator of ImageNet, a key catalyst of modern artificial intelligence, Dr. Li has spent more than two decades at the forefront of the field, but her career in science was improbable from the start as her family faced a difficult transition from China's middle class to American poverty. Woven throughout the book are powerful themes of immigration, identity, mentorship and the ethical responsibilities of innovation, as Li makes a passionate case for building technology with care, inclusion, and compassion. It provides a riveting story of a scientist at work and a thrillingly clear explanation of what artificial intelligence actually is—and how it came to be, emotionally raw and intellectually uncompromising.
Perspective
"Anyone working in machine learning or computer vision should read this to understand how ImageNet fundamentally changed their field and enabled the deep learning revolution that powers everything from ChatGPT to autonomous vehicles. Policymakers and tech leaders grappling with AI governance will find Li's human-centered approach essential as they navigate the current debates around AI safety, the EU AI Act, and ensuring artificial intelligence serves humanity rather than replacing it."
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