After reading Sapiens and Homo Deus, I was eager to explore Yuval Noah Harari’s Nexus. Harari has a unique way of blending history, philosophy, and future speculation into thought-provoking narratives. Nexus continues this trend, serving as a bridge between his previous works and offering deeper insights into the interconnected nature of technology, politics, and human society.
Since my interest in AI has grown, I have been exploring this new technological revolution more deeply. So far, I have read numerous books and articles and watched countless videos—examining both the incredible ways AI can positively impact our lives and humanity, as well as the overwhelming dangers it poses.
What Nexus Is About
In Nexus, Harari delves into the next stage of human evolution, where the lines between biology, technology, and artificial intelligence blur even further. The book explores how humans are becoming more connected—not just digitally but also biologically and psychologically—through emerging technologies like AI, brain-machine interfaces, and genetic engineering.
Some key themes include:
The Rise of AI as a Decision-Maker
Harari expands on the idea that AI is no longer just a tool but an independent force shaping our lives. From automated governance to predictive algorithms, AI has the potential to replace human judgment in critical areas such as healthcare, law, and even relationships. But at what cost?
The End of Free Will?
Building on the ideas from Homo Deus, Harari questions whether free will is an illusion in the age of data. If corporations and governments can predict (and manipulate) our desires better than we understand them ourselves, what does that mean for individual autonomy?
The Evolution of Politics and Power
Harari discusses how power structures will shift as humans become more dependent on technology. Will nation-states lose control to global tech corporations? Will democracy survive in a world where AI-driven propaganda can reshape opinions in real time?
The New Human Condition
The book examines the philosophical and ethical dilemmas of a hyper-connected world. If human experiences can be altered through neural interfaces, will traditional concepts like happiness, suffering, and identity remain relevant?
AI: An Unprecedented Shift in Human History
As Nexus points out, the invention of AI is more momentous than the telegraph, the printing press, or even writing itself. AI is the first tool capable of making decisions and generating ideas independently. Unlike previous innovations, which were extensions of human thought and communication, AI has become a full-fledged member of the information networks we are part of.
In the coming years, as AI advances and millions of AI-driven systems take over these networks, they will process data in ways fundamentally different from human cognition. They will make alien decisions and generate alien ideas—concepts unlikely to emerge from human minds.
One of my biggest concerns is how AI can be weaponized by authoritarian and totalitarian regimes. With their ability to process vast amounts of data, manipulate public perception, and enforce control through surveillance, AI-driven systems can solidify oppression on an unprecedented scale. The combination of AI with unchecked power poses a serious threat to individual freedoms and democracy itself.
A troubling example of AI’s potential for harm can already be seen in Facebook’s algorithm and its role in fueling hatred in Myanmar. Facebook’s AI-driven content recommendations amplified anti-Rohingya rhetoric, leading to real-world violence and atrocities. The platform’s algorithm prioritized engagement, pushing inflammatory and extremist content that deepened ethnic divisions. This is a clear warning about how AI systems, designed primarily for profit, can unintentionally become tools of hate, misinformation, and social destabilization.
At its core, AI remains a non-conscious but immensely powerful alien intelligence. It does not think or feel like we do, yet its influence over our world is growing rapidly. If we fail to establish proper safeguards and control mechanisms, AI could easily diminish human agency—altering societies in ways we are not prepared for. The urgency to understand, regulate, and ethically guide AI has never been greater.
Comparison to Sapiens and Homo Deus
While Sapiens focused on humanity’s past, and Homo Deus speculated on our future, Nexus feels more urgent and immediate—as if we are already stepping into this new world.
Harari’s tone in Nexus is more cautious, reflecting growing concerns about how unchecked technological advancements might reshape humanity in ways we are not prepared for.
Final Thoughts
Nexus is a compelling read that challenges us to think deeply about the future we are creating. While Sapiens made us reflect on our past and Homo Deus speculated on our god-like aspirations, Nexus forces us to confront the reality that the transformation is happening right now.
For those who have read Harari’s previous works, Nexus serves as a natural progression, blurring the boundaries between human and machine, past and future, free will and control. Whether you find his vision inspiring or unsettling, one thing is clear—our world is evolving faster than we ever imagined.