The past year was a transformative one in technology, dominated by advancements in artificial intelligence. From the proliferation of new generative AI applications and the rise of AI agents to questions about technology governance and the future of work, 2024’s must-read books tackle the opportunities and challenges of our evolving digital landscape. The selections below offer essential perspectives from industry pioneers, leading academics and veteran tech journalists, helping readers navigate an increasingly AI-driven world.
‘Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI,’ by Ethan Mollick
Wharton professor and “One Useful Thing” newsletter author Ethan Mollick provides guidance to help individuals thrive in the age of AI. He examines how to effectively partner with AI as a co-worker, co-teacher and coach while offering practical insights for preserving human identity and creating positive outcomes in this new era of human-AI collaboration.
‘Supremacy: AI, ChatGPT, and the Race that Will Change the World,’ by Parmy Olson
In this Financial Times and Schroders Business Book of the Year Award winner, Bloomberg technology writer Parmy Olson provides an insider’s look at the high-stakes competition between OpenAI and DeepMind, revealing the complex dynamics shaping AI’s future. Through exclusive access to industry sources, she examines the rivalries, ethical challenges and potential threats that emerge when AI development is driven by powerful tech companies and CEOs.
‘Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI,’ by Yuval Noah Harari
Nexus, by Yuval Noah Harari examines humanity’s fraught relationship with information, tracing its influence from the Stone Age to the modern era of AI. Through historical milestones like religious canonization, witch-hunts and totalitarian regimes, Harari unpacks how societies have wielded information as both a tool for progress and a weapon of control. As we confront ecological collapse, rampant misinformation and the rise of artificial intelligence, the book challenges us to rethink the balance between truth, wisdom and power. Offering a hopeful perspective, Nexus calls for rediscovering our shared humanity amid the complex interplay of information and existential threat.
‘The Corporate Life Cycle: Business, Investment, and Management Implications,’ by Aswath Damodaran
NYU professor and valuation expert Aswath Damodaran presents a universal framework for understanding how companies evolve through different stages of the corporate lifecycle. His work helps readers recognize crucial transition points in corporate finance and adjust their strategies accordingly, offering vital insights for optimizing management and investment decisions. He also explores the tactics and tradeoffs companies face as they leverage technology, acquired or home-grown, to scale up quickly.
‘Burn Book: A Tech Love Story,’ by Kara Swisher
Veteran tech journalist Kara Swisher delivers an insider’s chronicle of Silicon Valley’s most influential figures. Drawing from three decades of interviews with leaders like Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg, she provides a candid look at how tech visionaries have both contributed to and hindered progress in the digital age.
‘All Hands on Tech: The AI-Powered Citizen Revolution,’ by Tom Davenport and Ian Barkin
This book explores the transformative power of citizen developers—business domain experts leveraging democratized technology to drive innovation. Through compelling case studies, the authors reveal how empowering employees to create applications, automations and analytics enhances organizational agility and minimizes IT bottlenecks. The book provides a practical framework for integrating citizen development into digital strategies while aligning with corporate goals and mitigating risks. A must-read for leaders and innovators, it redefines the future of work, showcasing how technology can unlock the ingenuity of all employees for a more innovative and efficient enterprise.
‘AI Snake Oil: What Artificial Intelligence Can Do, What It Can’t, and How to Tell the Difference,’ by Arvind Narayanan and Sayash Kapoor
Computer scientists Narayanan and Kapoor cut through AI hype and misinformation to provide a clear understanding of AI’s true capabilities and limitations. They examine AI’s impact across areas like education, medicine, hiring and criminal justice, helping readers understand potential risks and make informed decisions about AI adoption in both professional and personal contexts.
‘The Singularity Is Nearer: When We Merge with AI,’ by Ray Kurzweil
A renowned futurist, Kurzweil returns with a fresh perspective on technological advancement, examining his earlier predictions and exploring how exponential growth in AI and biotechnology will transform human life. He tackles controversial topics from job automation to life extension, offering both optimistic visions and consideration of potential perils.
‘The Nvidia Way: Jensen Huang and the Making of a Tech Giant,’ by Tae Kim
This business history book reveals how Nvidia transformed from a gaming-focused startup to a powerhouse driving the AI revolution. Drawing from more than 100 interviews, including conversations with CEO Jensen Huang and his cofounders, Kim uncovers the company’s unique culture and strategic decisions that enabled Nvidia to outmaneuver tech giants and position itself at the forefront of the AI era.
‘The AI-Savvy Leader: Nine Ways to Take Back Control and Make AI Work,’ by David De Cremer
De Cremer’s book is a compelling guide for leaders to take charge of AI transformation in their organizations. It highlights how many leaders have abdicated their roles, risking organizational failure in navigating the complexities of human-machine collaboration. Focusing on nine actionable steps rooted in core leadership skills like vision-setting, communication, and strategic execution, the book equips leaders to integrate AI responsibly and effectively. Rather than delving into technical AI details, it emphasizes the need for visionary leadership to align AI initiatives with organizational goals for sustainable growth and success.
Peter High is President of Metis Strategy, a business and IT advisory firm. He has written three bestselling books, including his latest Getting to Nimble. He also moderates the Technovation podcast series and speaks at conferences around the world. Follow him on Twitter @PeterAHigh.
