The rise of AI, and such platforms like ChatGPT, has sparked both excitement and unease. Some people welcome this wave of technological progress with open arms, often without pausing to ask what’s happening behind the scenes. But living side by side with such powerful tools means we need to develop a healthy relationship with technology. That’s why Karen Hao’s Empire of AI feels so important. Drawing on her expertise as a journalist, Hao investigates and exposes the cutthroat world of artificial intelligence, offering a jaw-dropping critique of an industry that often operates with little oversight.
This book was not an easy read for me. I’m not deeply familiar with all the names, roles, and companies shaping the AI landscape, and at times I felt overwhelmed. A few months ago, I even set the book aside to pick up some lighter, more “enjoyable” reads, ironically, fiction classics with their own large casts of characters. But unlike a novel, Empire of AI doesn’t gently introduce its players. The way Hao presents the people and organizations felt more like bullets fired in quick succession. A “map” or chart at the beginning, like the family trees often included in epic fiction, would have helped me keep track.
That said, the depth of Hao’s reporting impressed me. Her journalism brings clarity to a messy, high-stakes world. She writes in a chronological style that feels honest and transparent, showing how the empire of AI grew through ambitious business models and driven individuals. Central to the book is Sam Altman and his journey, the people who influenced him, as well as the transformation of his character as OpenAI evolved. Hao also reminds readers of the potential harms AI researchers have been warning about for years. It’s urging us to see beyond one company and recognize how ambition can morph into an aggressive, money-fueled quest for dominance.
The story of OpenAI itself is particularly fascinating. Founded by Elon Musk, Sam Altman, and other backers with lofty promises of developing AI for humanity’s benefit, the company eventually ran headfirst into financial realities. Power struggles ensued. Musk and Altman both tried to position themselves as CEO, but Altman ultimately took the lead. Musk walked away in 2018, leaving OpenAI in financial uncertainty and forcing it to restructure. From there, the company’s commercial success would go on to set the tone for others in the field.
But Hao is clear: AI itself isn’t the problem. The real issue lies in the culture, one where pushing capabilities forward at any cost is rewarded, while oversight and regulation lag behind. Through her reporting, Hao emerges as a much-needed voice of clarity, standing in stark contrast to the industry’s obsession with dominance.
Importantly, she also points toward alternatives. One of the most moving examples comes from New Zealand, where Indigenous communities are using AI to help revive the Māori language. Hao argues that we need to resist the empire-like model of AI and instead foster more democratic, transparent, and human-centered approaches. Education, regulation, and a willingness to explore smaller, diverse models of AI could help us reclaim control.
Empire of AI is dense, and at times I found myself wishing the chronology had been presented with clearer outlines; yet, it remains a critical reminder that AI’s future is still being written. We don’t have to accept today’s “bigger is better” mentality. What our world truly needs might not be massive AI systems at all, but smaller, thoughtful innovations paired with something technology alone cannot provide: social cohesion, cooperation, and humanity.
The empires of AI won’t give up power easily. But as Hao reminds us, the embers of resistance already live within us. The question is whether we’ll act on them.
Author: Karen Hao
Publication date: 20 May 2025
Number of pages: 496 pages
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