An Academic and a VC Walk into an AI Salon ...

The unexpected collaboration that became "AI and the Art of Being Human"

Image: Midjourney

Perhaps the most humbling things about writing a book with someone else—at least when it goes well—is realizing that what results far transcends what you could have achieved on your own.

And possibly the second is the encouragement and feedback you get from people you would never otherwise have had the privilege of knowing.

The seeds for the collaboration that resulted in AI and the Art of Being Human started back in May 2024 when I was asked by my co-author Jeff Abbot to speak at the Phoenix chapter of AI Salon—a global network of AI startup and entrepreneur communities that Jeff founded.

Unknown to me at the time, what I talked about resonated deeply with Jeff. Unlike me (a consummate academic these days), Jeff is a hard nosed venture capitalist, and very much focused on identifying and funding AI startups. But as we continued to talk after that AI Salon meeting, it became clear that we had a lot in common when it came to thinking about what it actually means to thrive as a person in an age of AI.

And this extended far beyond founders and funders to students, parents, artists, academics, business leaders, policy makers, and pretty much anyone trying to make sense of a world where AI can replicate so much of what we do.

Through these conversations, it became increasingly clear that there was an urgent need for some form of guide on how to hold onto who we are and what matters as we increasingly fold AI into our lived. Not a another speculative book about the promise or evils of AI, or a “my journey with AI,” tome, but a practical, accessible, and meaningful guide that anyone from a high school student to a tech founder could pick up and use.

The result was a roller coaster of a ride as we worked together on developing and refining AI and the Art of Being Human (out Oct 14), and what has turned out to be a book that amazes me every time I read it—not because of what I’ve contributed, but how together we’ve created something that I could never imagine writing on my own.

Of course, all authors get attached to their “babies,” and just because I was amazed didn’t necessarily mean that it actually hit the spot that we were aiming for.

But then the endorsements began coming in—mainly from Jeff’s network.

Perhaps what made me realize we’d created something potentially more impactful than we realized were these words from Thupten Jinpa, Translator to the Dalai Lama and Chair of the Compassion Institute:

“As AI rapidly advances in mimicking human capabilities, the question of how to engage with it becomes increasingly important. AI and the Art of Being Human shows us how to do this with intentionality and care as our guiding principles. The book envisions how core human values, especially compassion, can be integrated into the design of AI tools. At the same time, it encourages us to view the challenges AI presents to our self-understanding as an opportunity to reflect more deeply into what it means to be human. This is a profoundly human book on one of the defining questions of our time”

Then, on the business side we had Chris Yeh, co-author with Reid Hoffman of Blitzscaling:

“Most who grapple with the implications of the AI revolution focus on economics, science, and geopolitics. All important lenses, but they don’t address the disorientation and uncertainty we feel when AI amazes and terrifies us with its power. Jeff Abbott and Andrew Maynard illuminate the human side of the AI revolution with a combination of philosophy, global inclusivity, and practical frameworks and exercises anyone can use. This book is a must-read for anyone trying to figure out their place in an AI-infused world.”

And from Ken Durazzo, Vice President of Dell Research:

“In an era defined by algorithms, this book stands out by offering a human-centered approach to AI. It’s a powerful and practical guide for understanding how to use machines to amplify our own abilities, rather than being replaced by them. Essential reading for leaders, creators, and innovators.”

These and other endorsements we received were perhaps the biggest signal to me that this is a book that’s needed now, and needed with some urgency.

Not because it was written by Jeff and myself (although the synergy that came from us working together is important), but because, as AI becomes increasingly integrated into our lives, it’s never been more important to ask what it means to be human as machines become increasingly able to do the things that we’ve traditionally thought of as defining who we are.

If you’re subscribed to this Substack you’ll be getting the chance to review an advance copy of the book shortly. Otherwise, it’ll be available every where you find good books from October 14th.

And when you do read it, I hope you’ll get the same sense as I did that this is a book that transcends what either of us could have achieved on our own as we set out to put a guide to thriving with AI while rediscovering yourself in as many hands as possible.