The chapter compares AI to electricity: a force that flows invisibly yet powers everything around us. This implies AI has quietly become a foundational, invisible infrastructure of modern life, not just a separate tool.

The electricity metaphor appears in Figure 11.1 and the surrounding text to illustrate AI's pervasive role in society. Just as electricity is all around us, often unnoticed, yet essential for powering homes, businesses, and devices, AI is described as working invisibly in the background while enabling much of everyday life and modern infrastructure. The implication is that AI should be understood not as an occasional or optional technology but as a deeply embedded, foundational layer that supports and shapes how we live, work, and interact.

Key points

AI is compared to electricity, a force that flows invisibly but powers everything around us.
The metaphor suggests AI has become a foundational infrastructure of modern life.
AI is portrayed not just as a tool but as an invisible power source for everyday activities.
The comparison emphasizes how deeply and quietly AI is integrated into society.

What metaphor does the chapter use to describe AI's role in society, and what does this metaphor imply about AI's integration into modern life?