At Princeton University’s Pre-read Assembly, Fei-Fei Li, a thought leader in artificial intelligence (AI), delivered an interesting speech to the incoming transfer students and Class of 2028. As one of the leading voices in AI and a Princeton alum, Li spoke about the challenges and opportunities AI brings to the next generation, urging students to take an active role in shaping its future.
“AI is the new form of computing,” Li stated, addressing the transformative power of AI in modern society. She emphasized that as today’s students are the first generation of “AI natives,” they hold the responsibility to steer AI’s impact. According to Li, AI is no longer just a futuristic concept; it is integrated into every aspect of daily life, from smartphones to scientific discoveries. “Anywhere there’s a chip, there’s computing. Anywhere there’s computing, it’ll be changed by AI.”
Li’s reflections on AI were deeply rooted in her own work in the field. As the co-creator of ImageNet, which laid the foundation for much of modern AI, she recounted her journey in developing machine learning models capable of visual recognition.
“My North Star was visual intelligence,” she said, which explained how she pursued the goal of teaching machines to see the world as humans do. Her work in AI has profoundly influenced advancements in image processing, autonomous vehicles, and other AI-driven technologies.
Yet, despite her optimism about AI’s potential, Li also voiced concerns about its societal implications.
“AI has profound implications, not just as technology, but for society at large,” she remarked. AI’s rapid progress raises ethical questions, particularly around issues like privacy, job displacement, and governance. “If this is not used responsibly, we might be in a hot mess — from geopolitics all the way to individual users.”
Li’s advocacy for “human-centered AI” was a central theme throughout her talk. She encouraged students to prioritize the ethical development of AI, calling for a future where technology serves humanity rather than exploiting it.
“I believe in the benevolent usage of the tool,” she said. “If we can educate the next generation and the public with the responsible use of AI, we have a good future with this tool.”
Her message to the students was clear: AI’s future depends not only on technological advancements but on how it is governed and used.
“Some of you will become the actual developers of AI. Some of you will become the users. Some of you will become the policymakers. But no matter what, this AI-native generation needs to figure out what we are going to do with this powerful technology,” said Li.
In closing, Li left the audience with a challenge, urging them to embrace their role in shaping AI’s trajectory.
“Your generation will have to face these questions. What are we going to do with AI? The decisions you make will determine how this technology impacts society,” she said. As Li’s speech came to a close, it was evident that the future of AI is not just in the hands of engineers and scientists, but in the collective choices of this new generation.
