FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Deep Tech VC James Wang Releases What You Need to Know About AI: A Clear Guide to the World’s Most Transformative Technology

Oakland, CA — September 16th, 2025 — James Wang, general partner at deep-tech venture capital firm Creative Ventures, announces the release of his first book, What You Need to Know About AI (October 15, 2025). Already endorsed by leading voices in technology and academia, the book demystifies artificial intelligence, separating hype from reality, and providing readers with an accessible roadmap to understanding how AI is reshaping our world.

Reid Hoffman, cofounder of LinkedIn and partner at Greylock, calls it “a great starting point for those worried they’ll never catch up,” while Jordan Schneider, founder of ChinaTalk, says, “This is the book I will give to everyone in my life to help them get to grips with the future.”

Wang brings a unique vantage point as a deep-tech investor with a global outlook, having backed early-stage AI, synthetic biology, and advanced materials startups since 2016. His experience at Bridgewater Associates, Google X, and as cofounder and CTO of a venture-backed startup informs the book’s blend of technical clarity and strategic insight.

“AI is simultaneously the most misunderstood and most important technology of our time,” said James Wang. “My goal with this book is to make AI clear, grounded, and useful for everyone — from policymakers and professionals to students and everyday readers.”

What You Need to Know About AI takes readers through the history, principles, and real-world implications of AI. Wang explains its true superpowers and hard limits in plain language, offering an antidote to both fearmongering and blind optimism.

Availability

What You Need to Know About AI will be released on October 15, 2025, in paperback, hardcover, and eBook formats. It can be preordered now at www.smartaibook.com/buy

About the Author

James Wang is a technologist, investor, and writer with over a decade of experience in AI and deep tech. He is a general partner at Creative Ventures, an early-stage fund investing in AI, synthetic biology, and advanced materials. Previously, he was on the investment team at Bridgewater Associates and worked at Google’s moonshot lab, X. He co-founded Lioness as CTO and regularly lectures at UC Berkeley. His Substack, Weighty Thoughts, is read by technologists, investors, and policymakers around the world.

Book Information

• Title: What You Need to Know About AI

• Author: James Wang

• Publisher: Manuscripts Press

• Publication Date: October 15, 2025

• Format: Paperback, Hardcover, eBook

• eBook ISBN: 979-8-88926-584-9

• Paperback ISBN: 979-8-88926-582-5    

• Hardcover ISBN: 979-8-88926-583-2

Praise for What You Need to Know About AI

• "Understanding AI is a daunting task that becomes more difficult with the advances each passing day. This book offers a great starting point for those worried they'll never catch up. James covers the essential history, principles, and implications of AI in a way that is accessible to neophytes, but broad enough to offer useful insights even to AI professionals who often end up narrowly focused." - Reid Hoffman, Cofounder of LinkedIn, Partner at Greylock Partners, and Coauthor of New York Times Bestsellers The Start-up of You and The Alliance

• "A masterclass for understanding and investing in the most transformative technology of our time. From AI history to hardware to hype, this book cuts through the noise and delivers signal with clarity and insight." - Rafic Makki, Head Technologist at Mubadala Ventures and former Executive Fellow at GlobalFoundries

• "This is the book I will give to everyone in my life to help them get to grips with the future." - Jordan Schneider, Founder of ChinaTalk and Fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS)

• "James is one of the clearest thinkers in AI. This book is an encapsulation of everything that's excellent about his work—deep systems-level thinking delivered through deceptively clear prose. What You Need to Know About AI doesn't just tell you about AI; it gives you simple, powerful ways to understand its real impact on your job and the world. This is the most essential, grounded, and genuinely useful guide you will find on the most important technology of our time." - Devansh, Head of AI at Iqidis, writer of Substack bestselling newsletter "Artificial Intelligence Made Simple."

• "The quickest and clearest way I've seen to be well-informed on the most important topics in AI, and a book I will be sharing with friends that are trying to get up the curve on potentially the most important technology of our lifetimes." - Josh Blanchfield, Chief Investment Officer at Avos Capital Management, Former Senior Executive at Bridgewater Associates

• "James does a great job pulling back both the hype and horror around AI to paint a grounded but also encouraging picture of what the future can look like with this wide scope of exciting new technologies." - Dr. Joshua Reicher, CEO of IMVARIA, former clinical lead at Google's medical AI group and faculty at Stanford Healthcare

• "A lucid, deeply engaging exploration that demystifies the most consequential technology of our time. James brings together the rare trifecta of clarity, depth, and storytelling to deliver a guide on AI that is as thought-provoking as it is accessible. Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand what AI is and take an honest look at the implications of its integration into our lives. This book doesn't just inform; it empowers. It's the lighthouse for anyone navigating the fog of AI hype and fear." - Brandon Reed, Founder of Dwellspring and Host of the Ready, Set, Startup! Podcast

• "James is a polymath bridging AI history, cutting-edge algorithms, and the AI revolution with philosophical depth and venture capital savvy." - Sergei Polevikov, founder of WellAI, writer of Substack best-selling newsletter "AI Health Uncut", and author of "Advancing AI in Healthcare: A Comprehensive Review of Best Practices

• "Really enjoyed this book. James always asks penetrating questions and that translates into an excellent synthesis of the pitfalls and promises of the AI revolution." - Alex Campbell, Founder and CEO of Rose AI and former head of commodities at Bridgewater Associates

• "I enjoyed reading this book by a successful and well-informed AI practitioner because it is easy to read and yet captures some of the tough issues at the dawn of the age of AI." - Ashok Goel, Professor of Computer Science at Georgia Institute of Technology and Executive Director of the National AI Institute for Adult Learning and Online Education

Media Contact

Liz Klinger
liz@weightythoughts.com