The 20 Best Artificial Intelligence Books to Read Now
The 20 Best Artificial Intelligence Books to Read Now
The 20 Best Artificial Intelligence Books to Read Now
Nov 8, 2023
Nov 8, 2023
Nov 8, 2023
By Nick Bostrom
A philosophical exploration of the potential rise of superintelligence, discussing the paths to its creation, the inherent dangers, and possible strategies for managing its development. Bostrom contemplates the control problem of ensuring a superintelligence's goals are aligned with human well-being, highlighting the difficulty of this task due to the unpredictable nature of such an advanced entity. The book serves as a cautionary tale, stressing the urgency of addressing the existential risks of AI before they become unmanageable
By Andriy Burkov
A concise and efficient overview of machine learning (ML) concepts, aimed at a broad audience of data science enthusiasts with varying levels of expertise. It's a dense read that efficiently covers complex topics, extending beyond the basics to advanced ML models and new research areas like zero-shot learning. While accessible, the book challenges readers to deepen their understanding of ML, regardless of whether they're undergraduates, data professionals, or seasoned data scientists.
By Kai-Fu Lee & Chen Qiufan
This book merges storytelling and scientific prediction to explore how AI might transform our world in the next two decades. The authors, an AI expert and a speculative fiction writer, use short stories to illustrate possible futures shaped by AI advancements. They predict significant changes in work, communication, and social norms, while also acknowledging potential risks like autonomous weapons and biases in smart technologies. The book emphasizes that despite AI's transformative impact, humanity will ultimately control its own destiny.
By Kai-fu Lee
Another gem by Kai-Fu Lee. AI Superpowers examines the AI industry's growth, particularly in China, and its implications on global power dynamics and employment. Lee explores how China's unique approach to AI development, with fewer data protections and an aggressive tech culture, positions it as a leader in the global AI race
By James Barrat
A critical look at the future of artificial intelligence and its potential to surpass human intelligence. The book explores AI concepts and history, and features insights from notable AI researchers. Barrat warns of the existential risks posed by super-intelligent AI, including the potential for human extinction. He emphasizes the challenge in predicting and controlling an entity that might far exceed human intelligence, urging caution as we advance in AI development.
By Jill Lepore
A historical examination by Jill Lepore of the Simulmatics Corporation. Founded in 1959, this company was a precursor to today's tech giants, pioneering the use of computer simulations to predict and influence human behavior for purposes ranging from marketing to political campaigns. Despite its ambitious start and involvement in significant events like the JFK campaign and the Vietnam War, Simulmatics collapsed amidst controversy. Lepore's narrative explores the early ambitions and ultimate failures of the company, reflecting on the power and danger of data and predictive modeling long before modern data giants emerged.
By Mike Walsh
A visionary book outlining how to excel in an era where AI and automation are pervasive. Walsh, a futurist, argues that the key challenge is not the threat of robots taking over jobs, but rather our capacity to reinvent ourselves in the face of these technological advances. Through interviews with business leaders and AI experts, Walsh has distilled 10 core principles for success in the algorithmic age, focusing on embracing change and leveraging the power of algorithms to enhance human decision-making and creativity.
By Janelle Shane
Shane, an optics research scientist, uses humor and accessible language to explain how AI works and its impact on society. The title itself is a humorous nod to the unexpected outputs AI can generate. Throughout the book, Shane addresses the concept of "artificial stupidity," highlighting the limitations and oddities of AI through various anecdotes and principles, such as AI's tendency to take shortcuts and its lack of general intelligence. Critics have praised the book as eye-opening, fun, and a great guide for understanding AI's oddities without the jargon.
By Samuel Woolley
A forward-looking examination of how emerging technologies, especially in social media, could undermine the truth and influence our perceptions and beliefs. Woolley, focusing on the social, economic, and political factors driving the manipulative uses of technology, emphasizes the need to address these underlying issues through a lens of diplomacy and human rights, not just as warfare. The book stresses the role of humans behind the technology and urges action to prevent the misuse of future technologies, aiming to support democracy rather than diminish it. Woolley adopts a cautiously optimistic approach, suggesting that while the technology itself is not malevolent, its potential misuse necessitates proactive solutions.
By Amy Webb
A critical examination of AI's potential trajectory, shaped by the major tech corporations—Amazon, Google, Facebook, Tencent, Baidu, Alibaba, Microsoft, IBM, and Apple. Webb argues that these entities, driven by profit rather than communal well-being, may inadvertently create AI systems that act unpredictably and contrary to human values. The book is a call to redirect the course of AI development towards a future aligned with human interests and liberate society from the unintended consequences of algorithmic decision-making.
By Kevin Roose
Roose, a New York Times technology columnist, provides a pragmatic guide for ensuring that humans remain relevant by enhancing qualities that machines cannot replicate. His approach emphasizes the importance of being surprising, social, and scarce; resisting the passive adoption of technology ('machine drift'); and using AI as a tool without becoming machine-like ourselves
By Flynn Coleman
This book discusses the imperative of embedding human values into AI to manage the power shift from humans to machines. Coleman posits that AI can enhance the human condition if it's developed ethically. The book highlights the need for oversight mechanisms and readiness for more advanced AI forms. The book has been described as substantial and energetic, though its optimism was met with some skepticism from prominent AI researchers.
By Garry Kasparov, Mig Greengard
Co-authored by Garry Kasparov, one of the preeminent chess grandmasters of all time, the book provides an in-depth look into the evolution of machine intelligence in the realm of chess, from Kasparov's historic 1997 match against IBM's Deep Blue to the broader implications for human creativity and future technology. Kasparov shares his unique perspective on this pivotal moment in AI development and reflects on the interplay between human and machine intelligence, offering insights into the potential future direction of technology and our role in shaping it
By Tom Taulli
Artificial Intelligence Basics is written to provide readers with a foundational understanding of AI and its significant impact. The book offers a clear, accessible introduction to key AI concepts like machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, robotics, and more, making it suitable for those without a technical background who want to grasp the essentials of AI and its influence on various industries
By Max Tegmark
MIT professor Max Tegmark offers an insightful exploration of AI's future impact on life on Earth and possibly beyond. Tegmark outlines different stages of life, from biological to cultural, and envisages a new era (Life 3.0) marked by advanced technology and artificial general intelligence (AGI) with self-redesign capabilities. He discusses the short-term effects of AI, such as technological unemployment and AI weaponry, and presents various potential futures, from beneficial AI to dystopian outcomes.
By Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt, Daniel Huttenlocher
Penned by prominent figures Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt, and Daniel Huttenlocher, dives into artificial intelligence's transformative impact on society and the existential questions it poses for the human condition. The book forecasts AI's far-reaching effects on various sectors, from science to warfare, and warns of the dangers of unchecked AI, like the creation of convincing falsehoods and AI-driven conflicts.
17. Power and Prediction: The Disruptive Economics of Artificial Intelligence
By Ajay Agrawal, Joshua Gans, Avi Goldfarb
This book is considered essential for economists, entrepreneurs, social scientists, and policy analysts who seek to understand and maximize AI's benefits while navigating its disruptive impact. It explores the role of AI as a pivotal technology in decision-making, where prediction and judgment are central. The authors, notable for their previous work "Prediction Machines," delve into how AI's evolution is transferring the task of prediction from humans to machines, enhancing the speed and accuracy of decisions across various industries like finance, healthcare, and retail
By Michael Wooldridge
An accessible journey through the evolution and potential future of AI. Wooldridge, a seasoned AI researcher, offers a balanced view, acknowledging the groundbreaking advances in AI, such as driverless cars and translation tools, while maintaining a realistic outlook on the aspirations and challenges that lie ahead. His book is an engaging and comprehensive guide that covers AI's history, its current state, and the transformative impact it may have on our future
By Stuart Russell
A profound exploration of the existential risks posed by advanced AI. It critiques the current AI model's focus on achieving human-specified goals without considering broader human values, which could lead to catastrophic outcomes. Russell proposes a new AI framework based on three principles that prioritize the realization and understanding of human preferences through machine learning from human behavior. His work has been lauded for its intellectual rigor and accessible style, making it a critical read for those interested in the future of AI and its ethical implications
By Mo Gawdat
Mo Gawdat presents a critical examination of AI's trajectory, offering a blueprint for harmonizing our future with advanced AI. Gawdat, the former Chief Business Officer at Google and bestselling author, delves into how AI, projected to be a billion times more intelligent than humans by 2049, can preserve our species rather than endanger it.
By Nick Bostrom
A philosophical exploration of the potential rise of superintelligence, discussing the paths to its creation, the inherent dangers, and possible strategies for managing its development. Bostrom contemplates the control problem of ensuring a superintelligence's goals are aligned with human well-being, highlighting the difficulty of this task due to the unpredictable nature of such an advanced entity. The book serves as a cautionary tale, stressing the urgency of addressing the existential risks of AI before they become unmanageable
By Andriy Burkov
A concise and efficient overview of machine learning (ML) concepts, aimed at a broad audience of data science enthusiasts with varying levels of expertise. It's a dense read that efficiently covers complex topics, extending beyond the basics to advanced ML models and new research areas like zero-shot learning. While accessible, the book challenges readers to deepen their understanding of ML, regardless of whether they're undergraduates, data professionals, or seasoned data scientists.
By Kai-Fu Lee & Chen Qiufan
This book merges storytelling and scientific prediction to explore how AI might transform our world in the next two decades. The authors, an AI expert and a speculative fiction writer, use short stories to illustrate possible futures shaped by AI advancements. They predict significant changes in work, communication, and social norms, while also acknowledging potential risks like autonomous weapons and biases in smart technologies. The book emphasizes that despite AI's transformative impact, humanity will ultimately control its own destiny.
By Kai-fu Lee
Another gem by Kai-Fu Lee. AI Superpowers examines the AI industry's growth, particularly in China, and its implications on global power dynamics and employment. Lee explores how China's unique approach to AI development, with fewer data protections and an aggressive tech culture, positions it as a leader in the global AI race
By James Barrat
A critical look at the future of artificial intelligence and its potential to surpass human intelligence. The book explores AI concepts and history, and features insights from notable AI researchers. Barrat warns of the existential risks posed by super-intelligent AI, including the potential for human extinction. He emphasizes the challenge in predicting and controlling an entity that might far exceed human intelligence, urging caution as we advance in AI development.
By Jill Lepore
A historical examination by Jill Lepore of the Simulmatics Corporation. Founded in 1959, this company was a precursor to today's tech giants, pioneering the use of computer simulations to predict and influence human behavior for purposes ranging from marketing to political campaigns. Despite its ambitious start and involvement in significant events like the JFK campaign and the Vietnam War, Simulmatics collapsed amidst controversy. Lepore's narrative explores the early ambitions and ultimate failures of the company, reflecting on the power and danger of data and predictive modeling long before modern data giants emerged.
By Mike Walsh
A visionary book outlining how to excel in an era where AI and automation are pervasive. Walsh, a futurist, argues that the key challenge is not the threat of robots taking over jobs, but rather our capacity to reinvent ourselves in the face of these technological advances. Through interviews with business leaders and AI experts, Walsh has distilled 10 core principles for success in the algorithmic age, focusing on embracing change and leveraging the power of algorithms to enhance human decision-making and creativity.
By Janelle Shane
Shane, an optics research scientist, uses humor and accessible language to explain how AI works and its impact on society. The title itself is a humorous nod to the unexpected outputs AI can generate. Throughout the book, Shane addresses the concept of "artificial stupidity," highlighting the limitations and oddities of AI through various anecdotes and principles, such as AI's tendency to take shortcuts and its lack of general intelligence. Critics have praised the book as eye-opening, fun, and a great guide for understanding AI's oddities without the jargon.
By Samuel Woolley
A forward-looking examination of how emerging technologies, especially in social media, could undermine the truth and influence our perceptions and beliefs. Woolley, focusing on the social, economic, and political factors driving the manipulative uses of technology, emphasizes the need to address these underlying issues through a lens of diplomacy and human rights, not just as warfare. The book stresses the role of humans behind the technology and urges action to prevent the misuse of future technologies, aiming to support democracy rather than diminish it. Woolley adopts a cautiously optimistic approach, suggesting that while the technology itself is not malevolent, its potential misuse necessitates proactive solutions.
By Amy Webb
A critical examination of AI's potential trajectory, shaped by the major tech corporations—Amazon, Google, Facebook, Tencent, Baidu, Alibaba, Microsoft, IBM, and Apple. Webb argues that these entities, driven by profit rather than communal well-being, may inadvertently create AI systems that act unpredictably and contrary to human values. The book is a call to redirect the course of AI development towards a future aligned with human interests and liberate society from the unintended consequences of algorithmic decision-making.
By Kevin Roose
Roose, a New York Times technology columnist, provides a pragmatic guide for ensuring that humans remain relevant by enhancing qualities that machines cannot replicate. His approach emphasizes the importance of being surprising, social, and scarce; resisting the passive adoption of technology ('machine drift'); and using AI as a tool without becoming machine-like ourselves
By Flynn Coleman
This book discusses the imperative of embedding human values into AI to manage the power shift from humans to machines. Coleman posits that AI can enhance the human condition if it's developed ethically. The book highlights the need for oversight mechanisms and readiness for more advanced AI forms. The book has been described as substantial and energetic, though its optimism was met with some skepticism from prominent AI researchers.
By Garry Kasparov, Mig Greengard
Co-authored by Garry Kasparov, one of the preeminent chess grandmasters of all time, the book provides an in-depth look into the evolution of machine intelligence in the realm of chess, from Kasparov's historic 1997 match against IBM's Deep Blue to the broader implications for human creativity and future technology. Kasparov shares his unique perspective on this pivotal moment in AI development and reflects on the interplay between human and machine intelligence, offering insights into the potential future direction of technology and our role in shaping it
By Tom Taulli
Artificial Intelligence Basics is written to provide readers with a foundational understanding of AI and its significant impact. The book offers a clear, accessible introduction to key AI concepts like machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, robotics, and more, making it suitable for those without a technical background who want to grasp the essentials of AI and its influence on various industries
By Max Tegmark
MIT professor Max Tegmark offers an insightful exploration of AI's future impact on life on Earth and possibly beyond. Tegmark outlines different stages of life, from biological to cultural, and envisages a new era (Life 3.0) marked by advanced technology and artificial general intelligence (AGI) with self-redesign capabilities. He discusses the short-term effects of AI, such as technological unemployment and AI weaponry, and presents various potential futures, from beneficial AI to dystopian outcomes.
By Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt, Daniel Huttenlocher
Penned by prominent figures Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt, and Daniel Huttenlocher, dives into artificial intelligence's transformative impact on society and the existential questions it poses for the human condition. The book forecasts AI's far-reaching effects on various sectors, from science to warfare, and warns of the dangers of unchecked AI, like the creation of convincing falsehoods and AI-driven conflicts.
17. Power and Prediction: The Disruptive Economics of Artificial Intelligence
By Ajay Agrawal, Joshua Gans, Avi Goldfarb
This book is considered essential for economists, entrepreneurs, social scientists, and policy analysts who seek to understand and maximize AI's benefits while navigating its disruptive impact. It explores the role of AI as a pivotal technology in decision-making, where prediction and judgment are central. The authors, notable for their previous work "Prediction Machines," delve into how AI's evolution is transferring the task of prediction from humans to machines, enhancing the speed and accuracy of decisions across various industries like finance, healthcare, and retail
By Michael Wooldridge
An accessible journey through the evolution and potential future of AI. Wooldridge, a seasoned AI researcher, offers a balanced view, acknowledging the groundbreaking advances in AI, such as driverless cars and translation tools, while maintaining a realistic outlook on the aspirations and challenges that lie ahead. His book is an engaging and comprehensive guide that covers AI's history, its current state, and the transformative impact it may have on our future
By Stuart Russell
A profound exploration of the existential risks posed by advanced AI. It critiques the current AI model's focus on achieving human-specified goals without considering broader human values, which could lead to catastrophic outcomes. Russell proposes a new AI framework based on three principles that prioritize the realization and understanding of human preferences through machine learning from human behavior. His work has been lauded for its intellectual rigor and accessible style, making it a critical read for those interested in the future of AI and its ethical implications
By Mo Gawdat
Mo Gawdat presents a critical examination of AI's trajectory, offering a blueprint for harmonizing our future with advanced AI. Gawdat, the former Chief Business Officer at Google and bestselling author, delves into how AI, projected to be a billion times more intelligent than humans by 2049, can preserve our species rather than endanger it.
By Nick Bostrom
A philosophical exploration of the potential rise of superintelligence, discussing the paths to its creation, the inherent dangers, and possible strategies for managing its development. Bostrom contemplates the control problem of ensuring a superintelligence's goals are aligned with human well-being, highlighting the difficulty of this task due to the unpredictable nature of such an advanced entity. The book serves as a cautionary tale, stressing the urgency of addressing the existential risks of AI before they become unmanageable
By Andriy Burkov
A concise and efficient overview of machine learning (ML) concepts, aimed at a broad audience of data science enthusiasts with varying levels of expertise. It's a dense read that efficiently covers complex topics, extending beyond the basics to advanced ML models and new research areas like zero-shot learning. While accessible, the book challenges readers to deepen their understanding of ML, regardless of whether they're undergraduates, data professionals, or seasoned data scientists.
By Kai-Fu Lee & Chen Qiufan
This book merges storytelling and scientific prediction to explore how AI might transform our world in the next two decades. The authors, an AI expert and a speculative fiction writer, use short stories to illustrate possible futures shaped by AI advancements. They predict significant changes in work, communication, and social norms, while also acknowledging potential risks like autonomous weapons and biases in smart technologies. The book emphasizes that despite AI's transformative impact, humanity will ultimately control its own destiny.
By Kai-fu Lee
Another gem by Kai-Fu Lee. AI Superpowers examines the AI industry's growth, particularly in China, and its implications on global power dynamics and employment. Lee explores how China's unique approach to AI development, with fewer data protections and an aggressive tech culture, positions it as a leader in the global AI race
By James Barrat
A critical look at the future of artificial intelligence and its potential to surpass human intelligence. The book explores AI concepts and history, and features insights from notable AI researchers. Barrat warns of the existential risks posed by super-intelligent AI, including the potential for human extinction. He emphasizes the challenge in predicting and controlling an entity that might far exceed human intelligence, urging caution as we advance in AI development.
By Jill Lepore
A historical examination by Jill Lepore of the Simulmatics Corporation. Founded in 1959, this company was a precursor to today's tech giants, pioneering the use of computer simulations to predict and influence human behavior for purposes ranging from marketing to political campaigns. Despite its ambitious start and involvement in significant events like the JFK campaign and the Vietnam War, Simulmatics collapsed amidst controversy. Lepore's narrative explores the early ambitions and ultimate failures of the company, reflecting on the power and danger of data and predictive modeling long before modern data giants emerged.
By Mike Walsh
A visionary book outlining how to excel in an era where AI and automation are pervasive. Walsh, a futurist, argues that the key challenge is not the threat of robots taking over jobs, but rather our capacity to reinvent ourselves in the face of these technological advances. Through interviews with business leaders and AI experts, Walsh has distilled 10 core principles for success in the algorithmic age, focusing on embracing change and leveraging the power of algorithms to enhance human decision-making and creativity.
By Janelle Shane
Shane, an optics research scientist, uses humor and accessible language to explain how AI works and its impact on society. The title itself is a humorous nod to the unexpected outputs AI can generate. Throughout the book, Shane addresses the concept of "artificial stupidity," highlighting the limitations and oddities of AI through various anecdotes and principles, such as AI's tendency to take shortcuts and its lack of general intelligence. Critics have praised the book as eye-opening, fun, and a great guide for understanding AI's oddities without the jargon.
By Samuel Woolley
A forward-looking examination of how emerging technologies, especially in social media, could undermine the truth and influence our perceptions and beliefs. Woolley, focusing on the social, economic, and political factors driving the manipulative uses of technology, emphasizes the need to address these underlying issues through a lens of diplomacy and human rights, not just as warfare. The book stresses the role of humans behind the technology and urges action to prevent the misuse of future technologies, aiming to support democracy rather than diminish it. Woolley adopts a cautiously optimistic approach, suggesting that while the technology itself is not malevolent, its potential misuse necessitates proactive solutions.
By Amy Webb
A critical examination of AI's potential trajectory, shaped by the major tech corporations—Amazon, Google, Facebook, Tencent, Baidu, Alibaba, Microsoft, IBM, and Apple. Webb argues that these entities, driven by profit rather than communal well-being, may inadvertently create AI systems that act unpredictably and contrary to human values. The book is a call to redirect the course of AI development towards a future aligned with human interests and liberate society from the unintended consequences of algorithmic decision-making.
By Kevin Roose
Roose, a New York Times technology columnist, provides a pragmatic guide for ensuring that humans remain relevant by enhancing qualities that machines cannot replicate. His approach emphasizes the importance of being surprising, social, and scarce; resisting the passive adoption of technology ('machine drift'); and using AI as a tool without becoming machine-like ourselves
By Flynn Coleman
This book discusses the imperative of embedding human values into AI to manage the power shift from humans to machines. Coleman posits that AI can enhance the human condition if it's developed ethically. The book highlights the need for oversight mechanisms and readiness for more advanced AI forms. The book has been described as substantial and energetic, though its optimism was met with some skepticism from prominent AI researchers.
By Garry Kasparov, Mig Greengard
Co-authored by Garry Kasparov, one of the preeminent chess grandmasters of all time, the book provides an in-depth look into the evolution of machine intelligence in the realm of chess, from Kasparov's historic 1997 match against IBM's Deep Blue to the broader implications for human creativity and future technology. Kasparov shares his unique perspective on this pivotal moment in AI development and reflects on the interplay between human and machine intelligence, offering insights into the potential future direction of technology and our role in shaping it
By Tom Taulli
Artificial Intelligence Basics is written to provide readers with a foundational understanding of AI and its significant impact. The book offers a clear, accessible introduction to key AI concepts like machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, robotics, and more, making it suitable for those without a technical background who want to grasp the essentials of AI and its influence on various industries
By Max Tegmark
MIT professor Max Tegmark offers an insightful exploration of AI's future impact on life on Earth and possibly beyond. Tegmark outlines different stages of life, from biological to cultural, and envisages a new era (Life 3.0) marked by advanced technology and artificial general intelligence (AGI) with self-redesign capabilities. He discusses the short-term effects of AI, such as technological unemployment and AI weaponry, and presents various potential futures, from beneficial AI to dystopian outcomes.
By Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt, Daniel Huttenlocher
Penned by prominent figures Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt, and Daniel Huttenlocher, dives into artificial intelligence's transformative impact on society and the existential questions it poses for the human condition. The book forecasts AI's far-reaching effects on various sectors, from science to warfare, and warns of the dangers of unchecked AI, like the creation of convincing falsehoods and AI-driven conflicts.
17. Power and Prediction: The Disruptive Economics of Artificial Intelligence
By Ajay Agrawal, Joshua Gans, Avi Goldfarb
This book is considered essential for economists, entrepreneurs, social scientists, and policy analysts who seek to understand and maximize AI's benefits while navigating its disruptive impact. It explores the role of AI as a pivotal technology in decision-making, where prediction and judgment are central. The authors, notable for their previous work "Prediction Machines," delve into how AI's evolution is transferring the task of prediction from humans to machines, enhancing the speed and accuracy of decisions across various industries like finance, healthcare, and retail
By Michael Wooldridge
An accessible journey through the evolution and potential future of AI. Wooldridge, a seasoned AI researcher, offers a balanced view, acknowledging the groundbreaking advances in AI, such as driverless cars and translation tools, while maintaining a realistic outlook on the aspirations and challenges that lie ahead. His book is an engaging and comprehensive guide that covers AI's history, its current state, and the transformative impact it may have on our future
By Stuart Russell
A profound exploration of the existential risks posed by advanced AI. It critiques the current AI model's focus on achieving human-specified goals without considering broader human values, which could lead to catastrophic outcomes. Russell proposes a new AI framework based on three principles that prioritize the realization and understanding of human preferences through machine learning from human behavior. His work has been lauded for its intellectual rigor and accessible style, making it a critical read for those interested in the future of AI and its ethical implications
By Mo Gawdat
Mo Gawdat presents a critical examination of AI's trajectory, offering a blueprint for harmonizing our future with advanced AI. Gawdat, the former Chief Business Officer at Google and bestselling author, delves into how AI, projected to be a billion times more intelligent than humans by 2049, can preserve our species rather than endanger it.