Kazuo Ishiguro’s highly acclaimed novel Klara and The Sun gives us a fascinating look into a world of AI advancement. This is shown in many forms and mainly through the perspective of Klara, the main character. We soon infer that AFs (short for ‘Artificial Friends’) like Klara are becoming the norm, filling in as companions of adolescent children. However, AFs aren’t the only way in which the potential of AI is demonstrated. We are exposed to the concept of ‘Uplifting’, the definition to which only became clear to me near the end of the novel. My interpretation is that uplifting is a form of genetic enhancement that is given to babies at birth, which enhances the potential of their intellect.

‘Genetic Engineering’, engineersnetwork.org, https://engineersnetwork.org/10-things-to-know-about-genetic-engineering/<29/04/24>

As we read on, it is at many points referenced that Rick has not been uplifted. He is treated as a sort of outcast, emphasizing to us that uplifting has become the new normal. I assume that it was his mothers’ decision to not have him uplifted, and Rick faces adversity because of this when trying to find a college, with his mother trying to exploit the favouritism of an old ‘friend’ who had connections. I find it interesting to consider whether Rick was not uplifted for ethical reasons, or because his mother never had the means to do so. The fact that he does not have an AF leads me to assume the latter to be true. This can therefore act as a warning to how AI may make the divide between the middle and lower class even more vast, as its capabilities may not be attainable for all.