AI is shaping boardroom strategies and startup pitches alike, yet the gap between hype and reality often leaves founders, investors, and policymakers uncertain about the next step. Should AI be feared as disruption, or embraced as opportunity? James Wang’s new book, What You Need to Know About AI, answers that question with clarity, offering a grounded guide for those seeking to compete — and collaborate — in the global AI ecosystem.
James Wang Publishes Clear Roadmap for Navigating AI
On October 15, 2025, James Wang, general partner at deep-tech venture capital firm Creative Ventures, will release his first book, What You Need to Know About AI. Positioned as an antidote to hype and fear, the book explains how artificial intelligence is reshaping industries while offering founders, investors, and policymakers a practical framework to engage with the technology.
Already endorsed by leaders such as LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman and ChinaTalk founder Jordan Schneider, the book is described as a clear, grounded entry point for anyone seeking to understand AI’s principles, limits, and opportunities.
“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.”
Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn
What You Need to Know About AI: Demystifying the Most Misunderstood Technology
“AI is simultaneously the most misunderstood and most important technology of our time,” Wang said in announcing the book. His goal is to bridge the gap between exaggerated promises and alarmist narratives by showing what AI can actually deliver — and where it falls short.
The book takes readers through the history, foundations, and real-world implications of AI. Written in clean language that’s easy to comprehend, it highlights both the technology’s superpowers and its limits. By combining technical clarity with strategic insight, James Wang aims to equip decision-makers with a realistic understanding of how AI affects innovation, competition, and global markets.
How Founders and Investors Can Navigate the AI Wave with Confidence
For startup founders, particularly those in Korea’s fast-evolving AI ecosystem, the book provides an accessible guide to joining the global AI race without falling into the trap of buzzwords or inflated promises. Meanwhile, investors will also be able to gain a framework to assess opportunities with a systems-level view that cuts through noise and emphasizes long-term value creation.
The endorsements underscore this utility: Rafic Makki of Mubadala Ventures calls it “a masterclass for understanding and investing in the most transformative technology of our time,” while Devansh, Head of AI at Iqidis, describes it as “the most essential, grounded, and genuinely useful guide.”
Inside the Mind of a Deep Tech VC: Why James Wang’s Viewpoint Matters
What makes this book even more significant is how James Wang is pouring over a decade of direct experience across the frontlines of deep tech into What You Need to Know About AI.
Before joining Creative Ventures, James Wang worked at Bridgewater Associates, Google’s X moonshot lab, and co-founded Lioness as CTO. His Substack newsletter, Weighty Thoughts, is followed globally by technologists, investors, and policymakers. He also lectures at UC Berkeley, adding an academic layer to his venture and operating background.
This global, cross-sector experience gives James Wang credibility to address AI as both an innovation challenge and an investment discipline — qualities that resonate with global founders, investors, and policymakers.
What This Means for Korea’s Role in the Global AI Race
South Korea’s startup ecosystem is rapidly advancing in AI and deep tech, driven by government initiatives, growing venture investment, and international collaboration. Yet early-stage founders often face a difficult question: how to engage with AI without being consumed by hype or technical overwhelm.
James Wang’s What You Need to Know About AI offers a clear framework to address that challenge. His guidance emphasizes balancing AI’s disruptive potential with the discipline to build sustainable companies — a perspective highly relevant as South Korea positions itself as both a regional leader and a global competitor in the AI race.
What You Need to Know About AI: Availability and Access
James Wang’s What You Need to Know About AI will be released worldwide on October 15, 2025, in paperback, hardcover, and eBook editions through Manuscripts Press.
Preorders are now open — secure your copy today and gain a clear, grounded guide to navigating the global AI race.
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