Books, Bavarian foothills, and the brave new world of AI
Do you have plans to read a few books this summer? If so, I have a few suggestions. I’ll be spending two weeks in the Bavarian foothills in a few weeks, and between the long flights over and back and some quiet mountain time, I plan to knock out two or three titles.
Fair warning: I’ve fallen deep into the technology rabbit hole, but by choice. I’m genuinely enjoying it and my recommendations reflect that.
I’m convinced that this AI thing is real and it’s going to change the way we live and work much faster than most of us realize. Think back to prior technological leaps: did we really understand the impact of the PC when the first models shipped? Or the iPhone? Or Facebook? This time, I’m more intrigued and paying closer attention.
That belief is being reinforced by conversations in our RxRoundtable events with innovative CEOs and through my own research. Here’s one example: I recently listened to a summary of Mary Meeker’s new report on The AI Daily Brief. During the dot-com era, Meeker was a legendary former Wall Street analyst whose internet trend reports were required reading. She’s back with a new one: Trends – Artificial Intelligence (340 pages and free to download).
In it she argues that AI is not just another tech trend, but a foundational shift, like the invention of electricity or the telephone, with sweeping implications for business, society, and geopolitics. And unlike past innovations, this one’s moving fast. It may be a bit dry, but it’s a solid place to start your summer reading. Here are a few more…
Looking for a more human take on AI? Try these:
The Optimist: Sam Altman, OpenAI, and the Race to Reinvent the Future by Keach Hagey
A compelling biography of the perpetually optimistic Sam Altman. If you believe Moore, Grove, Gates, and Jobs helped reshape the world, you’ll want to know more about this 40-year-old technologist and his growing influence.
Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman’s OpenAI by Karen Hao
A deeper, more policy-focused look at the power concentrated in a few hands and what that might mean for all of us. Hao explores the strange hybrid corporate structure of OpenAI and offers insight into the November 2023 boardroom attempt to oust Altman, referred to as “the blip.”
Pro tip: If you don’t have time to read both, listen to Kara Swisher’s dual interview with the authors on her podcast On with Kara Swisher. You’ll consider asking yourself, what is your “P-Doom?” Mine? I’m a 5.
Need a break from AI but still love tech and global strategy?
Apple in China: The Capture of the World’s Greatest Company by Patrick McGee
A riveting exploration of how Apple helped fuel China’s electronics dominance only to find itself increasingly dependent on a regime making ever-growing demands. If you're interested in the intersection of innovation, geopolitics, and power, this one delivers.
And for a true change of pace:
How to Think Like Socrates by Donald Robertson
A refreshingly accessible take on the life and lessons of one of the world’s great philosophers. When AI and global power dynamics feel overwhelming, stepping back into the minds of ancient thinkers might just offer the clarity we need.
Final thoughts…
Whether you lead in specialty pharmacy, PBM, or health services, these books offer more than just vacation reading. These titles provide context, foresight, and a challenge: to think critically, stay informed, and lead with eyes wide open. So wherever you find yourself over the summer months, the mountains, beaches, or just the backyard, bring a book that helps you meet the future with perspective.
Even in the age of AI, we can still slip into the soft pages of a good book for the sheer enjoyment of it. Finding your summer reading is as easy as browsing the Books section on Amazon.com or at your favorite independent bookseller. Trivia moment: When Amazon launched in 1995, yes, 1995, it offered the world’s largest collection of books. The first book sold on its platform was Douglas Hofstadter's Fluid Concepts and Creative Analogies: Computer Models of the Fundamental Mechanisms of Thought. The irony is not lost on me.
I will raise a stein to your reading enjoyment while in Germany.
