Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates has unveiled his annual book recommendations for 2024, featuring a diverse selection that includes a prominent work on artificial intelligence. Published on his blog Tuesday, Gates’ reading list comprises five books that share a common thread of “making sense of the world around you” during times of rapid technological and social change.
The standout AI-related recommendation is “The Coming Wave” by Mustafa Suleyman, who cofounded AI firms DeepMind (acquired by Google) and Inflection AI, and currently heads Microsoft’s AI division. Gates praised this book as essential reading for anyone seeking to understand artificial intelligence’s trajectory, stating: “If you want to understand the rise of AI, this is the best book to read.” The book explores both the opportunities and risks posed by AI and other scientific breakthroughs, including gene editing.
Gates’ other recommendations span diverse topics but reflect contemporary concerns. “The Anxious Generation” by social psychologist Jonathan Haidt examines how smartphones and social media are reshaping childhood development and contributing to adolescent mental health issues. Gates reflected on how this book made him consider his own youth spent outdoors without constant parental supervision, noting Haidt’s analysis of the shift from play-based to phone-based childhoods.
“An Unfinished Love Story” by historian Doris Kearns Goodwin offers an autobiography centered on her relationship with her late husband Richard N. Goodwin, who served as an advisor and speechwriter to Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. Gates praised Goodwin’s writing talent, noting that her personal narrative is as compelling as her historical accounts of the Kennedy assassination and Vietnam War.
“Engineering in Plain Sight” by civil engineer Grady Hillhouse provides an illustrated guide to understanding the modern constructed world, explaining everyday infrastructure from cable boxes to cell phone towers. Gates described it as a book that “will reward your curiosity and answer questions you didn’t even know you had.”
As a bonus recommendation, Gates included “Federer” by sports writer Doris Henkel, a visual biography of tennis legend Roger Federer featuring previously unpublished photographs. Despite his familiarity with Federer’s career, Gates said he learned considerably about the athlete’s early years.
Gates emphasized that the unintentional theme connecting these books reflects the natural human desire to understand our rapidly changing world, particularly relevant as AI and technology continue to transform society.
Key Quotes
If you want to understand the rise of AI, this is the best book to read.
Bill Gates said this about Mustafa Suleyman’s ‘The Coming Wave,’ giving it his strongest endorsement as essential reading for understanding artificial intelligence. This recommendation is particularly significant given that Suleyman now heads Microsoft’s AI division and Gates remains deeply involved in the company’s strategic direction.
All four are, in one way or another, about making sense of the world around you. This wasn’t an intentional theme, but I wasn’t surprised to see it emerge: It’s natural to try and wrap your head around things during times of rapid change, like we’re living through now.
Gates wrote this in his blog post explaining the common thread among his book recommendations. The statement acknowledges the transformative period we’re experiencing, largely driven by AI and technological advancement, and reflects the need for frameworks to understand these changes.
It made me reflect on how much of my younger years—which were often spent running around outside without parental supervision, sometimes getting into trouble—helped shape who I am today.
Gates shared this reflection after reading Jonathan Haidt’s ‘The Anxious Generation,’ which examines how smartphones and social media are changing childhood development. This personal observation connects to broader concerns about technology’s impact on society, a theme relevant to AI development and deployment.
Our Take
Gates’ book recommendations reveal a thoughtful approach to technology leadership that extends beyond pure innovation to encompass societal responsibility. By highlighting Suleyman’s work on AI risks and opportunities alongside Haidt’s examination of digital technology’s impact on youth, Gates demonstrates an awareness that technological progress must be balanced with ethical considerations. The timing is particularly relevant as Microsoft competes aggressively in the AI space with its OpenAI partnership and Copilot products. Gates’ endorsement of Suleyman’s book also serves as implicit validation of Microsoft’s AI leadership, given Suleyman’s role at the company. This reading list functions as both personal recommendation and strategic communication, signaling to stakeholders that Microsoft’s leadership is deeply engaged with the philosophical and practical implications of AI development, not merely its commercial potential.
Why This Matters
This story holds significance for the AI industry as it showcases how influential tech leaders are prioritizing AI literacy and public understanding of the technology. Bill Gates’ endorsement of Mustafa Suleyman’s book as the definitive guide to understanding AI carries substantial weight, given Gates’ position as a technology pioneer and his current involvement in AI development through Microsoft. The recommendation comes at a critical juncture when AI is transitioning from experimental technology to mainstream adoption across industries.
The connection between Gates and Suleyman—who now leads Microsoft’s AI division—adds another layer of relevance, highlighting the consolidation of AI talent at major tech companies. Gates’ reading list also reflects broader concerns about technology’s societal impact, with Haidt’s book on smartphone effects on youth development complementing discussions about responsible AI deployment. This signals that tech leaders are increasingly considering the holistic effects of digital transformation, not just AI in isolation. For businesses and policymakers, Gates’ recommendations serve as a curated guide to understanding the technological, social, and ethical dimensions of the AI revolution currently reshaping the global economy.
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Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/bill-gates-books-list-recommendations-ai-roger-federer-2024-12