Name: Ted Chiang (Chinese: 姜峯楠; pinyin: Jiāng Fēngnán)
Role:
Science Fiction Writer; Freelance Technical Writer.
Net Worth:
As of March 2025, Ted Chiang’s net worth is estimated at $10 million.
Profile Overview:
Ted Chiang is an acclaimed American science fiction writer known for his thought-provoking and meticulously crafted short stories. His work often explores themes of technology, philosophy, and human nature, earning him numerous prestigious awards, including four Nebula Awards, four Hugo Awards, and six Locus Awards. Chiang’s short story collections Stories of Your Life and Others (2002) and Exhalation: Stories (2019) are celebrated as modern classics in speculative fiction. His story “Story of Your Life” was adapted into the Oscar-nominated film Arrival (2016), solidifying his reputation as one of the most influential voices in contemporary science fiction.
Bio:
Ted Chiang was born in 1967 in Port Jefferson, New York. He developed an early interest in science fiction, submitting stories to magazines while still in high school. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Brown University in 1989 and attended the Clarion Workshop at Michigan State University the same year. After selling his first story, “Tower of Babylon,” to Omni magazine, he received the Nebula Award for Best Novelette in 1990.
Chiang has worked as an in-house technical writer and continues to write freelance technical documentation alongside his fiction career. He resides in Bellevue, Washington, near Seattle. In addition to his fiction writing, Chiang contributes essays on artificial intelligence and computing to publications like The New Yorker. He was an artist-in-residence at the University of Notre Dame from 2020 to 2021 and became a Miller Scholar at the Santa Fe Institute in 2022.
Ted Chiang’s Role in Artificial Intelligence:
Ted Chiang frequently writes about artificial intelligence in both fiction and non-fiction contexts. His stories often delve into the philosophical implications of AI and technology on human existence. For example, his novella The Lifecycle of Software Objects examines the ethical dilemmas surrounding AI entities that evolve over time. In his essays for The New Yorker, Chiang discusses topics such as algorithmic bias and the societal impact of machine learning systems.
Chiang’s unique ability to combine technical expertise with narrative depth has made him a prominent voice in discussions about AI ethics and its transformative potential.
Nationality:
American
Age:
57 years old (as of March 21, 2025).
Educational Qualification:
- Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science from Brown University (1989).
- Clarion Workshop: Attended Michigan State University (1989).
Sources of Wealth:
- Short Story Collections: Stories of Your Life and Others (2002) and Exhalation: Stories (2019).
- Film Adaptations: “Story of Your Life” adapted into Arrival (2016).
- Awards & Speaking Engagements: Winner of multiple Nebula, Hugo, and Locus Awards.
- Freelance Technical Writing: Long-standing career documenting software systems.
- Non-fiction Contributions: Essays on AI for publications like The New Yorker.
Random Fact:
Ted Chiang declined a Hugo nomination for his story “Liking What You See: A Documentary,” citing personal dissatisfaction with the work.
Ted Chiang’s career exemplifies his ability to merge technical knowledge with literary artistry, creating stories that challenge readers intellectually while exploring profound human questions. His contributions continue to shape both speculative fiction and discussions about technology’s role in society.
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