The Sun
Many of the robots featured in the novel, including Klara, rely on the sun to power them. Nevertheless, despite humans designing these robots to be powered on the sun, they have also created a machine that prevents the sun from fully shining, thereby powering the robots that help them.
AFs
There are plenty of kids on earth capable of providing profound friendship and companionship to each other. Nevertheless, humans invent robots called AFs, which are designed to be companions to lonely people. Typically, flesh-and-blood people are better able to give aid to other living and breathing people, not robots.
Rick
Rick is a seemingly normal kid with above-average intelligence. However, he is ostracized because he is not quite as smart and gifted as other kids. Typically, such a miniscule difference in intelligence wouldn't be second guessed as it doesn't materially affect anything. However, Rick's intelligence unexpectedly does.
Artistry
Josie turns to artistry to express herself; however, her art ultimately imprisons her because of technology, showing its pernicious effects and the extent to which humanity has been stamped out in favor of other things.
