Exploring the Future with Gary Bengier

By Robert White, Editor-In-Chief

What will life be like in 2125? Will we live alongside sentient robots? Will AI reshape every aspect of our daily routines? These questions sit at the heart of Gary Bengier’s newest speculative fiction novel, Journey to 2125, a story that delves into the nuances of humanity’s future amidst rapid technological advancement.

Gary Bengier, a Silicon Valley veteran and former CFO of eBay, has spent his career at the intersection of technology and the human experience. With a background that spans astrophysics, philosophy, and pioneering roles in tech, Bengier offers a unique perspective on how emerging technologies may reshape society. "I think the reality of our future will be neither purely utopian nor dystopian," Bengier explains. "Humans are resilient. We tend to muddle through, and the future will reflect that."

In Journey to 2125, Bengier introduces readers to Max MacGyver, a 100-year-old man reflecting on the challenges and triumphs of his family over three generations. Told over the course of a single day, the novel unpacks how Max's descendants grappled with climate change, AI-driven job displacement, privacy battles, and the preservation of democratic values. "This is ultimately a family saga," Bengier says. "I wanted readers to feel viscerally what it would be like to live through these transformations."

The novel also takes a realistic approach to emerging technology, from the progression of AI to the societal implications of robotics. "I think about the 'slow and fast' trajectory of technology," Bengier explains. "Things change gradually until suddenly we look back and realize the world is vastly different. It’s like the iPhone—impossible to imagine life without it, yet it didn’t exist just a few decades ago."

Bengier’s predictions extend to the challenges of AI and automation. "There’s a lot of hype around AI and the idea of sentient machines," he says, referencing discussions with AI experts like Melanie Mitchell. "The consensus among many in the field is that artificial general intelligence (AGI)—an AI that surpasses human intelligence—remains a distant prospect. What’s more immediate is the impact of automation on jobs. Long-haul trucking, for example, may not be fully automated until 2040 or 2050."

Yet, Bengier warns against oversimplifying the future. "The development of AI and robotics isn’t just a technological issue," he explains. "It’s deeply tied to social, political, and legal systems. A single event, like a self-driving truck hitting a school bus, could delay progress for years."

The novel doesn’t shy away from exploring profound questions of human purpose in a world dominated by automation. "When robots handle most jobs, how do humans find meaning?" Bengier asks. "It’s not hard to imagine a world where having a job becomes a privilege."

Bengier also brings an optimistic realism to the conversation around longevity and human advancement. Despite the hype around anti-aging research, he’s cautious. "Most experts agree that extending life significantly beyond 120 years is a monumental challenge," he notes, emphasizing that progress in this area will likely be incremental.

With Journey to 2125, Bengier bridges the gap between hard science and speculative fiction, offering readers a deeply human story that grapples with the complexities of technological evolution. "This book is about real people navigating real challenges," Bengier shares. "I wanted to paint an authentic picture of the future—not one of extremes, but one that reflects the resilience and adaptability of humanity."

Gary Bengier’s Journey to 2125 is a thought-provoking exploration of what lies ahead. It invites readers to imagine a future shaped not only by technological innovation but by the enduring human spirit. As Bengier puts it, "The future is not something we should fear—it’s something we should prepare for, thoughtfully and with hope."