On Censorship

by Ai Weiwei

Artist and activist Ai Weiwei examines censorship and self-censorship, through the lens of his compelling personal history, offering readers profound insights into an important topic of current and perpetual relevance.


Ai Weiwei is one of contemporary art's greatest practitioners. He has been a voice for artistic and personal freedom of expression for decades within his native China and around the world.


This publication offers a compelling exploration of censorship and self-­censorship. Drawing on his personal experiences and advocacy for human rights, Ai Weiwei provides a uniquely informed perspective. He examines how censorship persists in authoritarian regimes as well as subtly within democratic frameworks, corporate power, the arts, and social media, arguing that its concealed and pervasive nature poses a significant threat to genuine expression. This thought-­provoking work by a singular voice invites readers to critically reconsider power, ideology, and the boundaries of free speech.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, China, Philosophy, Cultural

87 pages, Hardcover

Published January 31, 2026

About the author

Ai Weiwei (Chinese: 艾未未; pinyin: Ài Wèiwèi, English pronunciation; born 28 August 1957) is a Chinese contemporary artist, documentarian, and activist. Ai grew up in the far northwest of China, where he lived under harsh conditions due to his father's exile.

Reviews

[Maia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slim but impactful essay on the tools and purpose of government censorship from an artist who has faced some of the most extreme versions of it. The conversations around censorship in the US I have seen recently mostly focus on banning books from school and public libraries, cutting library and school funding, and the increasing censorship of online platforms. Ai Weiwei expands this to talk about censorship of activism (such as Columbia University's actions against students raising awareness about genocide in Gaza), surveillance (from physical stalking by police, hidden devices planted in homes, and online surveillance, all of which he has experienced) and government pressure on international institutions to censor culture and art. Ai Weiwei was detained and questioned for 81 days by Chinese police, and even after leaving the country started to see his gallery shows and films pulled out of festivals, museums, and exhibitions when Chinese embassies pressured institutions to remove them. He also discusses AI and the rise of fake information, as the void left by censored information is generally filled with lies and propaganda. Ai is extremely clear-eyed about the purpose of censorship, which is to create a more ignorant, fearful, and passive population which is easier for authoritarian governments to control.

[Isabel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es un ensayo breve, pero de gran alcance. Más que un análisis académico de la censura, construye una defensa de la libertad de expresión desde la experiencia de quien ha vivido la vigilancia, la persecución y el intento sistemático de ser silenciado.

Su tesis central es incómoda: la censura no pertenece únicamente a los regímenes autoritarios. También opera en las democracias, en las instituciones culturales, en los medios y en las plataformas digitales mediante mecanismos más sutiles, como la presión social, la exclusión o la autocensura. El verdadero peligro, sostiene, aparece cuando el miedo deja de prohibir palabras y comienza a moldear la imaginación, la memoria y, con ello, la vida democrática.

Uno de los mayores aciertos del libro es conectar una experiencia profundamente personal con preguntas universales sobre el poder, el arte y la libertad. Ai escribe con claridad y convicción, mostrando cómo las nuevas tecnologías han ampliado la capacidad de vigilancia y control sobre la vida cotidiana, al tiempo que nos hacen creer que seguimos siendo plenamente libres.

No es, sin embargo, un libro neutral. Es una intervención política y ética. En ocasiones, sus argumentos resultan categóricos y tienden a equiparar formas de censura que responden a contextos distintos. Quien busque un estudio histórico o jurídico detallado probablemente eche de menos mayores matices.

Ai Weiwei no ofrece respuestas definitivas, pero recuerda algo esencial: toda censura, antes que prohibir palabras, termina por reducir el mundo que una sociedad es capaz de imaginar. Y cuando eso ocurre, también se erosionan la memoria colectiva y la vida democrática.

Mis principales críticas son 3. Primero, presenta la libertad de expresión como un derecho casi absoluto, sin considerar límites como la incitación al odio o la propaganda de guerra. Segundo, privilegia una visión individualista de este derecho y deja en segundo plano las luchas colectivas. Por último, no desafía conceptos actuales como los algoritmos, la desinformación y la cultura de la cancelación.

[alicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe because I read this with a new lens influenced by the author’s recent changes to his thinking, but I didn’t love this. It made some good points about censorship and oppression but it was nothing groundbreaking. It also read more like an academic text. Given it was partnered with his speaking tour, it just felt like an accompaniment to that (I would have said money grab but it came with the tickets). A shame because I really enjoyed his other writing and there were more brilliant and interesting points in those.

[Anny Bi · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was not what I wanted it to be, and nowhere close to it. For an artist and thinker who is so bold in combatting the authoritarian CCP regime, Ai’s 87-page essay feels insincere. Not because his commitment to fighting censorship actually is (I do not believe so), but because this book does nothing more than tickle the surface. Its insistence of critical thinking and individuality being the heart of what is targeted, distorted, and ultimately destroyed by censorship, surveillance, and AI evokes nothing more than the big letter slogan banners it critiques. I don’t think it’s overly harsh to say that this book does the very thing it warns that censorship results in — a lack of engagement in individuality, critical thinking, profound questioning of institutions of power. It does not engage in the vigilance that it undeniably demands its readers exercise.

Other than this fundamental lack, the read was overwhelmingly uninspiring. Ai was repeating the same empty statements over and over again, without giving them the substance that would inevitably help his cause. In other words, nothing is advanced this essay — no provocation of thought on the unparalleled significance of the topics he discusses, no explication of the processes and cases of censorship. Indeed, the failure to be specific (!!!!!!!) renders it powerless. It almost feels as if Ai is resigned to the forces he attributes as evil and corrupting. The failure to include specific instances of state pedagogical and discursive violence only further suppresses victims of censorship once again. If we who condemn censorship are also unable to name, point a finger at, and spotlight the people and issues we seek justice for, do we not just become participants in erasure of individual thought?

I guess the adage stands: don’t meet your heroes. Or in my case, don’t read their essays.

[Dylan Stiffler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book because my parents are huge Ai Weiwei fans and our first readings for Ed Studies are on free speech. Censorship is such a timely subject but this essay was underwhelming. Didn’t learn too much and felt generally surface level. Where it does succeed is the connecting of his personal experience under the Chinese authoritarian regime. Not enough of it though. I disagree with his views on artificial intelligence, seem reflective of the older generations. Interestingly, I can see the influence of Rousseau, society instantly indoctrinates. Also, power = control narrative. It’s interesting how censorship can transcend modern borders. Power.

[Imogen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite enjoyed Weiwei's thoughts on Censorship. The sections that stood out my me were his thoughts on Censorship and AI and Surveillance. Out of the book, these were the two that gave me the most to think about afterwards. I also enjoyed the imagery which was provocative and led me to watching the video Dumbass he did. I think this is a good book as a starting point to led to other ideas and too give the reader questions to ask themselves.

I would say this is worth an afternoon reading.

[Zyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

“An interesting incident occurred when people tested the new AI tool by asking about me. The AI’s response was blunt: ‘Let’s talk about something else.’”

This essay was precisely to the point & illustrates very clearly Ai Weiwei’s lifelong stance on society.
Very insightful for an artist [saying this with no arrogance whatsoever omg] and put words on thoughts & frustrations I had for a moment now.

[Stephen Corwin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Always found Ai Weiwei to be an interesting character so grabbed this on a whim when I saw it in a book store. Went into it knowing nothing. Unfortunately it’s a dud. Reads like a high school term paper. Very surface level analysis, poorly reasoned, and ironically affected by the same sort of implicit censorship he’s criticizing.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This did not entirely live up to my expectations despite raising some interesting questions. The short form left it skimming over some topics more than I would have wanted. still it is a personal and interesting view of censorship.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a reason Ai Weiwei is best known for his visual mediums, but this essay was thought-provoking and well-structured. I found some parts a bit repetitive, but that can be essays for you, sometimes, can't it.

[Nina Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated the perspective and the quick read. The writer was clear without judgement, even somewhat clinical. Censorship is the disease and this is how it hurts the individual, society and humanity.

[Rhys Parry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ai Weiwei is a great study in “artist most likely to leverage and benefit from censorship overreach” and wonder if he had just simply been left alone would he be this international force?

Regardless, I enjoyed this as much as it was possible.

[Charles Bookman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short, illustrated essay (you can read it in an hour) is Ai Wei Wei’s anguished cry about how artistic freedom suffers at the hands of censorship. When artistic freedom suffers, he believes individual liberties wither as well. Read more at bookmanreader.blogspot.com

[Vlod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, short read.

[Gin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small but might wow

[Gabor Hernadi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It`s not an objective book about censorship and its history, more like Ai Weiwei`s artistic thoughts and impressions about it including surveillance and the rise of AI.

[Chloe Sowerby · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely an artist and not a writer, really interesting premise and topic but all the points were largely the same/repetitive

[Jamie Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small but powerful book. Would definitely recommend.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short. Thought provoking. I just really love this artist.

[Summer Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Important reading for urgent times

[Mia Armstrong · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review from Anny Bi sums up my thoughts: "this book does the very thing it warns that censorship results in; a lack of engagement in individuality [and] critical thinking..."

[fumikimkim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read for study break - I feel like what he says is not new, but I guess this essay is valuable cuz it comes from someone who actually was surveiled so much. coffee table book

[⭒｡merv ﾟ｡⭒ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
some parts are a little repetitive and i wish it covered different areas too but still it was good

[Cameron Blackshaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up when I went to see the man himself be interviewed by Stephen Sackur on stage a few months ago.

Ai Weiwei’s musings on the current state of censorship across both the East and the West are thought-provoking and unsettling, if a bit extreme at times.

[Gustav Golden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and insightful for what it is; it's impossible to exhaustively write about censorship in less than 90 pages, but for something this short it does a good job to introduce you to the ways it affects society beyond the obvious.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Suddenly, you find yourself standing helpless in a vast wilderness, lost. Your sense of trust disappears, as we now inhabit fragmented realities and conflicting truths. In our quest for clarity, we have become disoriented. Our dependence on virtual reality grows to the point where the tangible world loses its significance. While our traditional understanding of size, shape, texture, temperature, sound, lines and light remains, these elements also exist in virtual reality, fundamentally altering our perception of existence.”

[Fela Callahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that contrasts greatly with Weiwei's personal style. With the scale of the concepts it discusses it is perhaps not even just succinct, but too short. However, it effectively argues its point on the pervasiveness of censorship, although with its length its argument that censorship is just as bad in the West needs more meat.