As I searched for my next reads on artificial intelligence and technology, I found myself filtering out everything published before the end of 2022. With the release of ChatGPT, GPT-4, and other Large Language Models (LLMs), it seems that much of the previously established knowledge and ways of thinking about the future of the world are quickly becoming outdated.
But instead of focusing on the latest and greatest, let’s not forget about the timeless treasures – books written years ago that still hold relevance in the world of AI today. Below is my curated list to get started. And while new AI bestsellers are still being written, let’s revisit these great books.
I like them as they offer insights and perspectives that are just as relevant today as when they were written, providing a valuable foundation for understanding the history, challenges, and opportunities of artificial intelligence.
All these books and many more are available on Audible. Audible, an Amazon company, offers the world’s largest selection of digital audiobooks and spoken word content. With Audible, you can listen anytime and anywhere to professionally-narrated audiobooks across a wide range of genres. You can try Audible Premium Plus and get up to two free audiobooks for free.
Genius Makers: The Mavericks Who Brought AI to Google, Facebook, and the World by Cade Metz
First on my list is Genius Makers by Cade Metz.
Meet the masterminds behind the AI revolution.
This book takes readers behind the scenes of some of the biggest names that have shaped the field of AI, from OpenAI to MS. Though in the time of writing this order was not obvious.
Metz offers a fascinating glimpse into the minds of the people who are shaping our technological future. He profiles some of the most significant figures in the AI industry who laid the foundation upon which AI advancements were built, including Geoffrey Hinton, Sam Altman, Demis Hassabis, Geoff Dean, and Andrew Ng, among many others.
This book is a must-read if you want to deepen your understanding of AI evolution in all its nuances and intricacies. It provides valuableBeyond the Hype: Timeless AI Books That Still Resonate Today insight into the hows and whys behind the breakthroughs and advancements that have brought us to where we are today. While reading this book I couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder and awe. The stories of the brilliant minds who paved the way for today’s AI revolution is a reminder that no great achievement is without its imperfections and setbacks. But it’s precisely these moments of failure and learning that make the triumphs all the more rewarding.
Architects of Intelligence: The truth about AI from the people building it by Martin Ford
Next up is Architects of Intelligence by Martin Ford.
Behind every intelligent machine is an architect with a story to tell.
From the creators of Siri to the founders of DeepMind, this book offers insights and perspectives from some of the brightest minds in AI.
This book is a collection of 23 interviews with some of the the most prominent AI experts in the world, including Ray Kurzweil, Yann LeCun, and Demis Hassabis. Ford explores their personal stories, views on the future of AI, and its impact on the economy, social and cultural life. Through these interviews, the book offers a unique perspective on the people behind the technology and provides valuable insights into the AI development process.
Originally released in 2018, the book offers a retrospective on the evolution of the AI field, providing an interesting look at its aspirations and predictions prior to the development of GPT.
With the fast-paced nature of the AI industry, one can only wonder if Martin Ford will plan a follow-up to these conversations to explore how perspectives have shifted in the field. I would definitely like to read something like this!
Regardless, Architects of Intelligence is a timeless read that offers a fascinating glimpse into the minds of some of the most prominent figures in AI.
Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence by Max Tegmark
A world where humans and AI collide
“Life 3.0” starts by presenting a scenario where artificial intelligence has exceeded human intelligence and is now prevalent in society. Tegmark introduces the concept of “Life 3.0”, which is the technological age of humans, with new technology such as artificial general intelligence (AGI) that can not only learn but also redesign their own hardware and internal structure.
In the opening section, the author charts the genesis of intelligence billions of years into the past and extrapolates its future evolution. Tegmark explores the short-term effects of advanced technologies, such as technological unemployment and AI weapons.
After examining current (as of 2017) AI challenges, Tegmark investigates a range of possible futures involving intelligent machines, including altered social structures, human-machine integration, and both positive and negative scenarios from Friendly AI to an AIpocalypse. Tegmark argues that the risks associated with AI arise from a misalignment of goals between AI and humans rather than from malicious intent or conscious behaviour.