Werber on 'past lives': 'I heard I went through 111 lives'

French novelist Bernard Werber, who enjoys a significant readership in South Korea, shared his thoughts on artificial intelligence and his latest work, 'The Waltz of Souls,' at the 2026 Seoul International Book Fair. Werber characterized AI as a tool, drawing parallels to fundamental discoveries like fire and radiation, emphasizing that its impact depends entirely on human application.

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All scientific progress and discoveries can bring us benefits or be misused. Fire does too, and so does radiation. AI is just such a tool.

"AI is already a past topic for me," Werber stated, highlighting his belief that technological advancements have historically followed cyclical patterns. He stressed that the emergence of new technologies throughout human history has consistently presented both opportunities and risks, a theme he explores in his writing.

Werber's new novel pushes the boundaries of historical reflection, featuring a protagonist who lives through multiple past lives. These experiences range from existing as a Neanderthal to being reborn as the ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras. The inspiration for this concept, Werber revealed, stems from his personal fascination with past-life regression therapy.

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AI is already a past topic for me.

He recounted an experience with a medium who told him, "You have gone through 111 past lives." While acknowledging the unverifiable nature of such claims, Werber found it to be fertile ground for his literary imagination, providing the core material for his latest exploration of existence and history.

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You have gone through 111 past lives.