Jerry Kaplan
Also known as Samuel Jerrold Kaplan, Jerrold Kaplan
Jerry Kaplan is an entrepreneur and author who explains artificial intelligence to general readers. He earned a doctorate in computer and information science at the University of Pennsylvania in 1979, one of the first AI doctorates. He co-founded Teknowledge, a publicly traded AI company, in 1981, and GO Corporation in 1987 to develop pen-based portable computers. His 2015 book Humans Need Not Apply is a guide to wealth and work in the age of artificial intelligence, and The Economist named it one of its top ten science and technology books of 2015. As of October 2026, he is a lecturer at Stanford University, where he teaches the social and economic impact of AI.
- Now at
- Stanford University
Timeline
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1972–1979
An early AI doctorate
He earns a bachelor's degree in history and philosophy of science from the University of Chicago in 1972. In 1979 he earns a doctorate in computer and information science at the University of Pennsylvania, one of the first AI doctorates.
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1981
Co-founding Teknowledge
He co-founds Teknowledge, a publicly traded artificial intelligence company, in 1981.
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1987–1995
Pen computing at GO Corporation
He co-founds GO Corporation in 1987 to develop a pen-based portable computer. In 1995 he publishes Startup: A Silicon Valley Adventure, a book about the company's history.
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1994
An online auction site
He co-founds OnSale, an online auction website, in 1994.
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1998
An Ernst & Young award
He receives the 1998 Ernst & Young Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
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2015
Humans Need Not Apply
He publishes Humans Need Not Apply in 2015, a guide to wealth and work in the age of artificial intelligence. The Economist names it one of its top ten science and technology books of 2015.
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2016
An Oxford book on AI
He publishes Artificial Intelligence: What Everyone Needs to Know in 2016 with Oxford University Press, an accessible introduction to AI.
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As of October 2026
Teaching AI's social impact at Stanford
He is a lecturer at Stanford University, where he teaches the social and economic impact of AI.
Sources and credits
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