The making of an AI rock star: Kai-Fu Lee has much to say about machine learning, Google and whether China will kick our butts in AI (GOOG, GOOGL, AAPL, MSFT)

Kai-Fu Lee

Machine learning and neural networks have never been sexier.

The top experts in artificial intelligence are speaking before thousands, signing book deals and attracting gobs of money. The sector is moving from tech niche to center stage stardom.

Take for example Kai-Fu Lee, the noted investor, former president of Google China and AI researcher. On Friday, at two speaking engagements in San Francisco, Lee basked in the kind of attention typically reserved for rock stars, not technologists.

Young men and women in business attire flocked to him. Investors sought introductions. Even school children asked for autographs. Lee is one of AI's biggest boosters as well as one of its chief critics. Wherever he speaks— from Silicon Valley to Beijing — he draws big crowds and garners much praise.

Business Insider tagged along with Lee as he shuttled in a town car between speaking events last week, part of the promotion for his new book, "AI Super Powers, China, Silicon Valley, and The New World Order." In an exclusive interview, he revealed details about why he left Google and how Google fared in the country before pulling out in 2010 (Hint: not good), and whether the US or China will win in AI.

These topics could prove especially relevant in the coming months as lawmakers make inquiries into Google's possible re-entry into China.

Part of what makes Lee special is that he has unique insight into the most important tech trends shaping the world and the powerful companies leading the charge.

Lee spent a big part of his childhood in the United States, and the first half of his career at Apple, Microsoft and Google. Fluent in English, Lee speaks slowly and carefully, choosing each word precisely.

At Carnegie Mellon, where Lee earned his PhD, he developed the world's first speaker-independent, continuous speech recognition system.

In 2009, after leaving Google, Lee became a prominent investor in Chinese startups. So, when he talks about whether the US or China will win in AI, people listen.

Lee's new book, “AI Super-Powers, China, Silicon Valley and The New World Order” went on sale last week.

Not only is he a successful investor and technologist, Lee is a powerful speaker and writer. He knows the value of a soundbite, turn of phrase and provocative statement.

In one passage from his book, Lee described how AI will shake up society and the world's power structure. Some of his assessments may not come as welcome news to many in the United States.

"This new AI order will be particularly jolting to Americans, who have grown accustomed to a near-total dominance of the technological sphere. For as far back as many of us can remember, it was American technology companies that were pushing their products and their values on users around the globe...American companies, citizens, and politicians have forgotten what it feels like to be on the receiving end of these exchanges, a process that often feels akin to 'technological colonization.'"

During the drive that took Lee to his speaking engagements, first at the headquarters of the Asia Society Northern California and then to the San Francisco Yacht Club, Lee said, "I try to be truthful."

The reception Lee receives when he makes public appearances is startling.

It's not everyday that a technologist can draw hundreds of people on a Friday evening, but the crowds that come to see Lee are large and enthusiastic.

They also come from a wide range of ages, backgrounds and business segments.

Sure, the tech sector has salivated for a long time over AI. But the possibility of creating machines with intelligence similar to humans in the not-so-distant future has begun to fire imaginations among the general public.

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