Books on AI: the best books on AI to discover its history and news

Post-pandemic reading and culture

Today, thanks to technology, we can choose from a wide range of tools to stay up to date: online courses, articles, videos, etc. 

In addition to online courses, however, reading remains one of the main ways to find information and insights, as well as to have fun and experience something different from everyday life. This is understandably also due to the lack of other cultural options such as theatres, cinemas, and museums, which in the last year have suffered a setback due to the closure of the pandemic.

Recent studies have demonstrated that print book sales were up 9.1% in 2021, thus showing that print book sales have risen more than 18% since the start of the pandemic in early 2020.

Artificial Intelligence books recommended by Pigro

Over the past few years, much has been written about Artificial Intelligence, a complex and rapidly evolving topic. 

But what to read? Among many books on the topic of AI, it can be difficult to find suitable AI books for us that correspond to our interests. 

Precisely for this reason, the Pigro Team recommends the must-read AI books!

Pillars of AI:

1. Artificial Intelligence. What Everyone Needs to Know – Jerry Kaplan 

Jerry Kaplan is one of the world's leading experts on artificial intelligence: he is a Stanford University professor, Silicon Valley pioneer, computer scientist, and author.

In "Artificial Intelligence. What Everyone Needs to Know" he tells the history and evolution of AI using a simple language understandable even to those who are beginners and providing, at the same time, a specific focus on certain issues for those who, instead, are looking for more technical details.

After a historical overview, aspects such as the impact of AI on work, social equity, making predictions about the future, and providing answers to all the questions that science fiction movies have taught us to ask: will the day come when intelligent systems will be free and will do whatever they want? Will we ever be able to upload ourselves into a computer?

2. Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach – Stuart Russell & Peter Norvig 

Already in its 4th edition, "Artificial Intelligence. A Modern Approach" is one of the best books on artificial intelligence for those who want to explore the subject starting from evolution and the main theories. and being brought up to date on the latest AI technologies.

It is a text suitable for everyone, both those who want to deepen certain concepts as well as people who approach the subject for the first time.

The sociological approach to AI: 

1. Life 3.0. Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence – Max Tegmark 

If you want to discover the impact of AI on our lives, Max Tegmark's is one of the books you absolutely must read!

This text is composed of a series of reflections on Artificial Intelligence and the influences that this technology will have in different areas: crime, justice, employment, and society.

At the end of the book, the reader will not find himself with new anxieties or fears. On the contrary, the author also tries to dispel some myths created around Artificial Intelligence.

2. Superintelligence. Paths, Dangers, Strategies - Nick Bostrom

Among the books on artificial intelligence and technology, this one definitely adopts a different perspective: in fact, Nick Bostrom wants to offer insights to fully understand the consequences that AI will bring to our lives.

The author recognizes the possibilities of Artificial Intelligence and the benefits that humans will have from its use.

At the same time, Bostrom seeks to ponder a very specific question: will humans really be able to govern a superintelligent machine?

3. The Second Machine Age: Work, Progress, and Prosperity in a Time of Brilliant Technologies - Erik Brynjolfsson, Andrew McAfee

In The Second Machine Age, Brynjolfsson and McAfee define "the Second Machine Age" as the - contemporary - age marked by a pervasive presence of computers, which exert mental power, rather than helping humans to carry out physical labour. The book deals with topics such as technological, societal and economic progress in connection with the latest AI technology. The authors display a positive outlook on machine intelligence and social networks, as they believe these two core industries will significantly improve our lives in the decades to come.

4. The Master Algorithm: How the Quest for the Ultimate Learning Machine Will Remake Our World - Pedro Domingos

On Fivebooks.com this book was suggested by none other than ChatGPT, among the best books on Artificial Intelligence.

The author explores the various approach to machine learning and discusses the potential impact of AI on our society in an optimistic way. He believes that the ultimate goal of AI is to create a “master algorithm” that can learn to perform any intellectual task.

Business-oriented books on AI:

1. Prediction Machines: The Simple Economics of Artificial Intelligence – Ajay Agrawal, Joshua Gans, Avi Goldfarb

Within this book, the authors move away from the tendency to talk about Artificial Intelligence as something magical and abstract.

Instead, the three economists explain the basic features of A.I., which they understand as a useful means of prediction, and define its costs and benefits to businesses.

2. Human + Machine: Reimagining Work in the Age of AI – Paul R. Daugherty, H. James Wilson 

This book, written by Accenture leaders, addresses the issue of the human-AI relationship by supporting the idea of their necessary collaboration within companies.

In fact, the text describes the types of human-machine collaboration and the principles that business leaders should follow in integrating A.I. within the company.

AI-themed science fiction novels:

1. Clarkesworld Issue 179 - Neil Clarke, Beth Goder, Nadia Afifi, Congyun “Mu Ming” Gu, Andrea M. Pawley, Adam Stemple, Andrea Kriz & Mlok 5

The imaginaries of a utopian future outlined by Mu Ming speak of technologies that enhance humans and their senses: visors that increase their vision, AI that compensates for the loss of functionality due to ageing, and keeping lonely people company. 

NLP, AI, and robotics merge with scenarios drawn from the author's traditional Chinese heritage, with the intent of providing readers with (plausible) food for thought and improvement.

2. Sunvault: Stories of Solarpunk and Eco-Speculation - A. C. Wise, Phoebe Wagner, Brontë Christopher Wieland, Andrew Dincher, Daniel José Older, Kristine Ong Muslim, Nisi Shawl, Lisa M. Bradley, José M. Jimenez & Yilun Fan (Editor: Upper Rubber Boot Books; Illustrated edition)

A collection of 13 stories from 6 different countries translated into 4 languages, outlining dystopian and cyberpunk worlds, characterized by a strong critique of the unbridled capitalism in which we have lived and live. 

All narratives are rooted in the present: climate change, globalization, the ageing population, developments in biotechnology, and much more. The goal is to "move from despair to strategy", in order to get out as soon as possible from the catastrophic vision the whole world is facing.

How to stay updated?

Artificial intelligence is an ever-changing world, and even for experts in the field, it's critical to stay current.

In addition to books on AI, a great tool to stay updated on AI are Ted Talks.

Check out the ones that Pigro has selected for you on artificial intelligence: TED Talks AI: 10+1 unmissable TED Talks about Artificial Intelligence

Want to know more about Pigro? Contact us!