Many business leaders are feeling overwhelmed by the pace of change surrounding generative AI. New tools are being released daily, while a fervent news cycle surrounding the big players have emerged.
Only your email inbox and social media updates is probably not going to add the necessary depth and learning for what will be a transformational few years. The latest mystery surrounding Sam Altman’s whereabouts is unlikely to make any difference to you business, practical and relevant advice is. A 200+ page book will almost certainly do more to understand the macro trends and the real direction of travel.
I’ve been doing my research and read many books on the subject. My top picks for business leaders are below. I appreciate you’re unlikely to read all 10 in a hurry, so I’ve put them into something of a prioritised order.
1. The Coming Wave: Technology, Power, and the Twenty-first Century’s Greatest Dilemma
By Mustafa Suleyman, the co-founder of DeepMind and now CEO of Microsoft AI. This was a business bestseller upon its publication in September 2023, and is my top pick on this list. Suleyman explores the dual nature of AI and biotechnology as both powerful tools and existential risks, but important digs into the historical context of major technological shift, and how powerful a force AI will likely become.
This is definitely a book that views AI through a macro lens, offering insights into how AI could be used by bad actors and the ethical concerns of it being deployed in a military context. He is also very firm and insightful on what he believes public policy makers can do to mitigate the risks. An important book, and one that will likely stick with you.
2. Co-Intelligence: The Power of Communities, Relationships, and AI
By Ethan Mollick, Professor of Management at Wharton. Mollick takes a very grounded view of the practical implications of AI in the here and now, which is a very useful contrast to the long term The Coming Wave. He also casts himself as an AI optimist, which makes this a comfortable read.
It’s fairly simplistic and easily readable in a day (and I’ve heard one AI expert criticise it’s triteness), but I felt it made some good points.
Firstly, that general purpose AI like LLMs are likely to be a skills leveller and democratiser, rather than a replacers of any sort. Second, that we don’t really have a choice in whether we engage with AI, so we may as well – beyond this, AI should not replace human decision-making but instead augment it, creating a synergy that leads to smarter, more ethical outcomes. Lastly, Mollick makes a useful, and oft-repeated phrase ‘this is the worst version of AI that it’ll ever be’ – if we don’t think it’s ‘good enough’ now, then it soon will be.
It’s a bit simple and he probably shouldn’t have confessed that he got ChatGPT to help him write it, but it’s a useful practical book that serves as an introduction. Ethan Mollick also posts daily about AI on LinkedIn.
3. The Fourth Industrial Revolution
By Klaus Schwab, Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum (Davos). This book isn’t exclusively about AI, more the main macro technology trends that are likely to occur over the next decade. Of course, AI is a main driver of these, so it’s relevant to this list. I’m always a big fan of placing technology in a historical context, which this book clearly does from the very title. It’s also relatively short.
At times there’s a little too much corporate jargon type writing, but Schwab does a good job of explaining the main trends, the opportunities and their related risks – and emphasising the need to a collaborative approach to managing them.
4. Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies
By Nick Bostrom, Director of the Future of Humanity Institute, Oxford University. A philosopher well known for his work on existential risk explores the potential future where AI surpasses human intelligence. Bostrom delves into the risks and ethical considerations associated with creating a superintelligent entity, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that AI’s development aligns with human values and safety.
5. Artificial Intelligence: A Guide for Thinking Humans
By Melanie Mitchell, Davis Professor of Complexity at the Santa Fe Institute. Mitchell offers a comprehensive overview of AI, making complex concepts accessible to a general audience. She addresses the capabilities and limitations of current AI technologies, discussing both the potential and the challenges AI poses to society, including misconceptions about its abilities.
6. Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
By Max Tegmark, Professor of Physics at MIT. This book explores the future of life as AI advances from its current state (Life 2.0) to a potential future where AI plays a central role in shaping our world. The book considers scenarios ranging from utopian to dystopian, urging readers to consider the moral and ethical implications of AI.
7. Artificial Intelligence: A New Synthesis
By Nils J. Nilsson, who was Kumagai Professor of Engineering in computer science at Stanford University from 1991. He died in 2019. A New Synthesis is a foundational text in AI, providing a comprehensive introduction to the principles and methodologies of artificial intelligence. Nilsson covers a range of topics, including machine learning, reasoning, and perception.
8. The Master Algorithm: How the Quest for the Ultimate Learning Machine Will Remake Our World
By Pedro Domingos, Professor Emeritus of computer science and engineering at the University of Washington. Domingos explores the concept of a “master algorithm”—a single algorithm capable of learning anything. He examines the five major paradigms of machine learning and how they could be combined to create this ultimate learning machine, discussing its potential impact on various industries.
9. Rule of the Robots: How Artificial Intelligence Will Transform Everything
By Martin Ford, an American futurist and author. The Rule of Robots explores the profound impact AI is poised to have across all facets of society. The book delves into how AI will not only reshape industries but also redefine human roles and capabilities.
By examining the technological advancements and ethical considerations, the author highlights the transformative potential of AI, offering insights into how it will revolutionize everything from healthcare to education, finance, and beyond. This work is essential for understanding the future trajectory of AI and its implications for our world.
10. AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order
By Kai-Fu Lee, CEO of Ye-01.ai and Taiwanese businessman. While possibly the least practical book on this list (hence it’s the last), Kai-Fu Lee examines the race for AI dominance between China and the United States, highlighting how AI will transform the global economy and labor markets.
Unless you’re directly involved in the politics of AI between the two leading economic powers, then you may want to pass, but it’s very useful in seeing AI in the global context. Potentially Silicon Valley may be knocked off its pedestal, and this international rivalry carries risk. The book offers insights into how each country approaches AI development and the broader geopolitical implications of this competition.
