Princeton computer scientist Arvind Narayanan joins Ezra Klein to discuss the argument that artificial intelligence can be understood as a technology with historical precedents, rather than as something beyond comparison.
His three recommendations look at environmental progress, China’s approach to building, and the behavior of complex systems. The list below follows the episode’s published book recommendations.
Guest: Arvind Narayanan
Episode: Intelligence Isn't Power
Released: October 9, 2026
Arvind’s three picks
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Not the End of the World
Hannah Ritchie uses environmental data to examine the problems facing the planet and the progress already made. She argues for practical action grounded in evidence rather than despair.
Breakneck
Dan Wang draws on years in China to examine its drive to build and engineer the future. His account uses China’s achievements and failures to sharpen a comparison with the United States.
Thinking in Systems
A clear introduction to feedback loops, delays, stocks, and flows. Meadows offers ways to understand why complex systems behave unexpectedly and how interventions can produce unintended results.
An independent reading guide. Not affiliated with The Ezra Klein Show or The New York Times. Recommendations are sourced from the episode’s published show notes.