Chen Qiufan — Futurist and Humanist

Blurring Reality and Fiction

Stanley Chen Qiufan was my first guest on Imaginize World podcast back 3 years ago. Talking again in 2026, he shares his insights on the evolving relationship between humanity and technology.

He believes that the boundary of fiction and reality is becoming increasingly blurred, that technology is advancing faster than ever.
Reality may even be outpacing fiction.

We need to build a symbiotic relationship between humans and AI; we need to exist together.It’s not just about adaptation – it’s a question of evolution.

Stanley teaches at the Hong Kong Metropolitan University. He is President of the World Chinese Science Fiction Association.

In his works, he explores the ethics of artificial intelligence and technology, climate change and environmental protection, planetary civilization and the philosophy of mind.

I discovered Stanley when I read AI 2041: Ten Visions for our Future, a collection combining information and stories around artificial intelligence, and its future impacts on people and society. I read Waste Tide, his novel from 2013 (in Chinese) and 2019 (in English). Reading Waste Tide was an experience I’ll never forget!

I have since read a number of his short stories and am eagerly awaiting his new novel which will be out in a few months.