Yuval Noah Harari, born in 1976, is an acclaimed Israeli author, public intellectual, and historian. He serves as a professor in the Department of History at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Harari is best known for his popular science bestsellers, including Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind (2014), Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow (2016), and 21 Lessons for the 21st Century (2018). His works explore complex themes such as free will, consciousness, intelligence, happiness, and suffering.

Harari's narrative begins with the "cognitive revolution" approximately 70,000 years ago, leading Homo sapiens to dominate over Neanderthals and other Homo species. This era marked the development of language skills, the formation of structured societies, and the rise of humans as apex predators. These achievements were further bolstered by the agricultural and scientific revolutions, allowing humans an almost complete control over their environment. Harari critically examines the future implications of a biotechnological world where intelligent biological organisms could be overtaken by their own creations. He provocatively suggests that "Homo sapiens as we know them will disappear in a century or so".

In Sapiens, Harari offers a sweeping overview of human history, from the emergence of Homo sapiens to the political and technological revolutions of the 21st century. Despite the popularity of his books, Harari's scholarly reception is mixed, often sparking debate within the academic community. His research inquiries delve into the relationship between history and biology, the distinctiveness of Homo sapiens, the concept of justice in history, and the directional flow of historical progress. Harari questions if humanity has grown happier over the course of history.

Outside of his writing, Harari is dedicated to teaching, offering a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) titled A Brief History of Humankind, based on his university lectures. His academic contributions have been recognized with awards such as the Polonsky Prize for Creativity and Originality.