Essential AI Reads: Top Book Recommendations From Industry Leaders

Understanding every aspect of AI can be tough. Here are six must-read books recommended by experts to help you grasp AI's impact and future. These books cover everything from ethical issues and working with AI to historical context and deep questions about technology, providing important insights to help you navigate AI’s changes.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of our lives and businesses, bringing both technological changes and important social and ethical questions. Understanding AI is crucial, given its significant impact and ongoing development.

The current discussion around AI can often be overwhelming and confusing. It feels like AI appears suddenly, overshadowing everything else with a mix of exaggerated excitement and fear. People claim AI will revolutionise every industry, or even bring about the end of the world, but clear answers to basic questions—like what AI is, how it works, and its future—are often buried in complex technical jargon.

Since the launch of ChatGPT, opinions on AI have been plentiful but not always well-informed. The novelty of AI has led to a rush of misinformation and hype. According to McKinsey research, generative AI could contribute between $2.6 trillion to $4.4 trillion annually to the global economy, enhancing the impact of AI by 15 to 40 percent.

To help you drive this evolving field, here are six recommended books endorsed by industry leaders like McKinsey’s Yuval Atsmon and Lareina Yee. These books offer valuable insights into AI’s impact, helping you understand this transformative technology and its implications for our future.

Must-Read AI Books: Top Picks from Leaders in Technology and Science

The books listed below are the recommendations from leading figures in AI and technology and underscore the importance of continuous learning and thoughtful engagement with AI development. For more insights from over 50 global executives, editors-in-chief, and McKinsey leaders, explore “What to read next: McKinsey’s 2024 annual book recommendations.”

AI Needs You: How We Can Change AI’s Future and Save Our Own
By Verity Harding
Suggested by: Lila Ibrahim, COO, Google DeepMind; Young Global Leader, World Economic Forum
What makes this book stand out: Verity Harding explores the critical role individuals and society play in shaping the future of AI, delving into ethical considerations and societal impacts. The book urges collective action to steer AI development towards beneficial outcomes.

The Singularity Is Nearer: When We Merge with AI
By Ray Kurzweil
Suggested by: Yuval Atsmon, Senior Partner, McKinsey
What makes this book stand out: Ray Kurzweil offers a forward-looking perspective on the convergence of humans and AI, predicting a future where technological advancements lead to profound changes in human capabilities and society. Kurzweil’s insights challenge readers to consider the implications of this inevitable transformation.

Co-intelligence: Living and Working with AI
By Ethan Mollick
Suggested by: Lareina Yee, Senior Partner, McKinsey; Reid Hoffman, Cofounder, LinkedIn; Partner, Greylock Partners
What makes this book stand out: Ethan Mollick examines how AI is reshaping the workplace and daily lives, advocating for a collaborative approach to integrating AI technologies. The book highlights the importance of human-AI interaction and the potential for co-evolution.

God, Human, Animal, Machine: Technology, Metaphor, and the Search for Meaning
By Meghan O’Gieblyn
Suggested by: Nicholas Dirks, CEO and President, New York Academy of Sciences; Former Chancellor, University of California, Berkeley
What makes this book stand out: Meghan O’Gieblyn explores the philosophical and existential questions raised by technological advancements, offering reflections that provide a deeper understanding of how technology influences our perception of self and the world around us.

Ideas That Created the Future: Classic Papers of Computer Science
By Harry R. Lewis
Suggested by: Amy Webb, Founder and CEO, Future Today Institute
What makes this book stand out: Harry R. Lewis compiles seminal papers in computer science that have shaped the trajectory of AI and technology. This collection provides historical context and foundational knowledge, making it an invaluable resource for understanding the evolution of AI.

The Coming Wave: Technology, Power, and the Twenty-First Century’s Greatest Dilemma
By Mustafa Suleyman, with Michael Bhaskar
Suggested by: Lareina Yee, Senior Partner, McKinsey
What makes this book stand out: Mustafa Suleyman and Michael Bhaskar address the complex interplay between technology and power in the 21st century, highlighting the challenges and dilemmas posed by rapid technological advancements. They offer strategic insights for navigating these changes and leveraging AI for positive societal impact.

Understanding AI: Lessons from Top Books

These five books approach AI with the right balance of humility and insight. They highlight a surprising truth about AI: its biggest challenges are human challenges. This is the ultimate irony of this new technology. The real value of AI might lie in what it teaches us about our weaknesses and limitations, rather than those of machines.

As AI continues to change our world, these books offer important perspectives and knowledge to help people and organisations navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead. Reading these books will provide valuable insights for contributing to the positive and ethical development of AI, ensuring its benefits are fully realised for everyone.