In this episode of Ali & Friends, Canadian pianist and composer Steve Barakatt shares about his nearly 30-year journey with China – from writing music for legendary singer Leon Lai Ming in 1995, to composing Riding Around the Forbidden City after visiting Beijing. For him, music has no borders. It is the most direct bridge between people and between countries.

He also reflects on the age of AI: while technology takes over many jobs, humans gain more time to nurture what truly matters: people-to-people relationships.

"We should be in charge of cultivating more and more people-to-people relationships," said Barakatt.

When the piano speaks, borders fade, and language is no longer needed. What remains is the truest understanding and connection between people.