Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a topic for the future - it is already influencing the economy, society and our individual lives. But what impact is AI actually having on our working world, our thinking and our ethical standards? Here are nine books that will give you an in-depth understanding of this revolutionary technology from a variety of perspectives. I hope you find these books as inspiring as I did, and I hope you enjoy reading them. If you decide to buy one of the books, please do me a favour and do so directly via the links provided. You'll be supporting my blog (without having to pay more). And if you have any tips for books that you particularly enjoyed, please let me know in the comments.

1. The future of business and work: four essential books on AI and business

1.1 "The Future of Work: Robots, AI, and Automation" – Darrell M. West

Darrell M. West describes how AI, robotics and automation are transforming the labour market - faster than ever before. Not only industrial but also knowledge-based professions are affected. He highlights risks such as job losses, but also opportunities through new fields of activity and productivity increases.

His call for adaptation is particularly important: education, social security and models such as a basic income could make the transition easier. West compares global strategies and shows which are truly sustainable. A compact, intelligent book for all those who see AI not only as a threat, but also as an opportunity to shape the future.

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1.2 "Human + Machine: Reimagining Work in the Age of AI" – Paul R. Daugherty & H. James Wilson

Daugherty and Wilson argue that AI does not primarily replace jobs, but augments human skills. They show how companies can become more productive and innovative through close collaboration between humans and machines. Instead of seeing AI as competition, they argue in favour of a ‘fusion skills’ strategy in which humans use AI in a targeted way to make better decisions.

Their practical examples from various industries are particularly exciting and show how AI is already transforming work processes today. The book offers an optimistic but realistic view of how work is changing - and how we can meaningfully integrate AI into our professions. An inspiring guide for anyone who sees AI as a partner rather than a threat.

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1.3 "AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order" – Kai-Fu Lee

Kai-Fu Lee, a former Google China manager, provides exciting insights into the competition between the USA and China in the field of AI. His predictions about which industries will be dominated by AI are particularly valuable.

While Silicon Valley continues to drive innovation, China is using its enormous amount of data and state funding to scale AI at a rapid pace. Lee impressively demonstrates why China is no longer just catching up, but is leading the way in many areas.

His assessment of the social consequences is particularly exciting: AI could make millions of jobs redundant worldwide and further widen the economic divide. At the same time, Lee emphasises the need for an ethical debate and social adjustments. A captivating book that not only describes the technological race, but also sheds light on the profound global impact of AI.

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1.4 "Rewired: The McKinsey Guide to Outcompeting in the Age of Digital and AI" – Eric Lamarre, Kate Smaje, Rodney Zemmel

My personal favourite from this category. If you don't just want to keep up in the digital world, but really want to win, you have to dare to make far-reaching changes - that is precisely the message of Rewired. The authors, all McKinsey partners, impressively demonstrate that digital transformation cannot be achieved with individual lighthouse projects. Rather, a systematic ‘rewiring’ of the entire organisation is required in order to fully exploit the potential of AI and digitalisation.

I particularly like the fact that the book doesn't just spout empty phrases, but offers a practical framework: from scaling AI applications to agile working methods and the right talent strategy. Of course, in typical McKinsey fashion, a lot is aimed at large companies, but many principles can also be adapted for smaller companies or consultants.

A must-read for anyone who doesn't just talk about digital transformation, but really wants to implement it - and wants to avoid the typical pitfalls.

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2. AI and ethics: the big moral questions

2.1 "Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy" – Cathy O'Neil

Cathy O’Neil’s Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy (2016) is a critical examination of the unintended consequences of big data and algorithmic decision-making. A former Wall Street analyst and data scientist, O’Neil argues that many algorithms—often perceived as neutral and objective—are, in fact, deeply flawed and perpetuate systemic biases. She coins the term Weapons of Math Destruction (WMDs) to describe harmful algorithms that are opaque, widespread, and unaccountable, exacerbating inequality rather than mitigating it.

A key strength of O’Neil’s argument lies in her case studies across multiple domains, including education, employment, policing, and the justice system. For example, she critiques the use of predictive policing algorithms, which disproportionately target marginalized communities, reinforcing existing racial and socioeconomic disparities. Similarly, she highlights how credit scoring and automated hiring systems disadvantage individuals based on arbitrary or historically biased criteria, such as zip codes or educational backgrounds.

O’Neil also explores how the incentives behind these models often prioritize efficiency and profit over fairness. Many WMDs operate in a feedback loop: flawed predictions reinforce themselves as decision-makers continue to rely on biased data. Unlike scientific models, which can be tested and refined, these opaque systems lack transparency and mechanisms for redress, meaning those negatively affected have little recourse.

While O’Neil successfully exposes the dangers of big data misuse, her book also raises pressing ethical and regulatory questions. She advocates for greater accountability, fairness audits, and policy interventions to curb the worst effects of WMDs. Her work remains highly relevant as artificial intelligence and machine learning systems continue to shape critical aspects of modern life.

Overall, Weapons of Math Destruction serves as both a warning and a call to action, urging readers to question the algorithms governing society and demand greater oversight of their impact.

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2.2 "The Big Nine: How the Tech Titans and Their Thinking Machines Could Warp Humanity" – Amy Webb

Amy Webb’s The Big Nine: How the Tech Titans and Their Thinking Machines Could Warp Humanity (2019) is a thought-provoking analysis of the future of artificial intelligence (AI) and its global impact. Webb, a futurist and data expert, examines how nine major tech companies—six in the U.S. (Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, IBM, Apple) and three in China (Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent)—are shaping AI development, often prioritizing profit and geopolitical interests over ethical concerns.

Webb outlines three possible futures: a status quo scenario where AI continues to develop with minimal oversight, a catastrophic outcome where corporate and governmental mismanagement leads to AI-driven crises, and a more optimistic vision where global cooperation ensures AI benefits humanity. She warns that without intervention, AI could entrench inequality, erode privacy, and empower authoritarian regimes.

The book is a compelling call for proactive regulation, ethical AI development, and international collaboration to prevent AI from amplifying existing societal risks.

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3. Psychological aspects of AI: How machines change our thinking and our psyche

3.1 "Rebooting AI: Building Artificial Intelligence We Can Trust" – Gary Marcus & Ernest Davis

Gary Marcus and Ernest Davis’s Rebooting AI: Building Artificial Intelligence We Can Trust (2019) critiques the limitations of current AI systems and advocates for a more robust, human-like approach to artificial intelligence. The authors argue that contemporary AI, particularly deep learning, is fundamentally flawed because it relies on statistical pattern recognition rather than genuine understanding.

Marcus and Davis highlight AI’s struggles with reasoning, common sense, and adaptability—key capabilities needed for trustworthiness. They warn that overreliance on brittle, data-driven models can lead to serious failures in critical applications like healthcare, law, and autonomous systems.

Instead of simply scaling up deep learning, they propose hybrid models combining symbolic reasoning with machine learning to create AI that can generalize and explain its decisions.

The book is a call for a more cautious and interdisciplinary approach to AI development, emphasizing the need for transparency, robustness, and human-aligned intelligence to avoid future risks.

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3.2 "The Psychology of Artificial Superintelligence" – Joachim Diederich

In this book, Joachim Diederich takes a fascinating approach: he looks at artificial superintelligence (ASI) not only from a technological perspective, but also asks how psychological principles can be transferred to superhumanly intelligent machines - or whether they still play a role at all.

His analysis of the social upheavals associated with a potential ASI is particularly fascinating. He discusses how human cognition, decision-making and emotions compare to a superintelligence - and whether psychological concepts such as motivation or consciousness will still have the same significance in an AI-supported future.

A central topic is control: if an ASI is more intelligent than any human, how can we still influence its decisions? Diederich takes a critical look at the challenges that arise when machines not only automate tasks, but also make strategic decisions independently.

The book is an exciting mix of psychology, cognitive science and futurology - it encourages us to think about the long-term effects of AI. For psychologists in particular, it offers a unique perspective on how human thinking and machine intelligence might interact.

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4. AI and social upheaval: Society in transition

4.1 "Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI" – Ethan Mollick

Ethan Mollick argues that AI is not just another tool, but a technology that is fundamentally changing the way we work, learn and interact.

One particularly exciting point is his view on the shift in expertise and decision-making: If AI can analyse faster and more accurately than humans in many areas, how will this change our working world? Mollick talks about how AI could break down hierarchies by democratising knowledge - but also about the new dependencies that will arise.

Ethical and social issues will also be discussed: what happens if AI not only makes people more productive, but also replaces human jobs? How can a society deal with the opportunities and risks without blocking innovation or leaving people behind? Mollick highlights both potentials and risks and emphasises that we must now actively shape how we want to live and work with AI.

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These nine books provide you with a comprehensive foundation to understand the diverse impacts of AI on business, ethics, psychology and society. Whether you want to prepare for the future of work, reflect on ethical issues or explore the psychological impact of AI, you'll find inspiring reading here!