Barcelona Metropolis

I read Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari before it became a global publishing sensation and long before the author emerged as a cult figure in Silicon Valley and Davos. This admission may seem like an attempt to lay claim to the pre-fame Harari, but it serves to highlight how his influence and impact have evolved over time. With Nexus, Harari continues his mission of connecting the past, present and future in a narrative that delves into the power of governing structures and the information networks that sustain them.

Harari offers us a fascinating perspective: the systems of government we’ve created are essentially networks for the exchange of information. From the earliest hierarchies to modern democracies, political structures not only organise and direct society but also collect, process and redistribute information among various groups. This constant flow of information is what determines the effectiveness and sustainability of any governance system. Through historical examples, Harari illustrates that power and authority are not simply imposed forces but a complex web of interdependencies where information circulates and is controlled.

However, I disagree with this perspective and believe that Harari assigns AI an agency and intent that it does not actually possess. No matter how advanced, AI remains a tool that depends on goals set by humans. Without a clear direction, AI cannot make independent decisions; if it lacks a maximising function, it is as useful as a computer in screensaver mode. This doesn’t mean the risk of AI misuse doesn’t exist, but it also isn’t inevitable. We’ve managed nuclear risks for nearly eight decades and prevented biological weapons from falling into dangerous hands; we should be able to do the same with AI.

Harari’s ability to draw connections between seemingly unrelated disciplines, such as history, philosophy and technology, makes Nexus both an engaging and thought-provoking read. While he may not be the leading expert in each of these fields, his storytelling talent and expertise as a communicator are undeniable. Just as he captivated us with Sapiens, Homo Deus and 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, Harari once again draws us in with an argument that challenges us to reconsider our place in an increasingly interconnected and technological world.

That said, as a futurist, Harari is no better than you or me. As Niels Bohr famously said, predicting the future is hard, especially when it’s about the future.