Welcome to Faculty Digest, your go-to resource for insightful reviews on the latest podcasts, interviews, videos, and books in the field of artificial intelligence. Designed specifically for faculty, our platform aims to keep you informed and inspired with the most current and relevant content. Whether you’re looking to integrate new AI concepts into your curriculum, stay updated on cutting-edge research, or simply expand your knowledge, Faculty Digest offers comprehensive reviews and recommendations.
Faculty are invited to contribute reviews and recommendations for books, videos, and podcasts!
Book Spotlight
About Co-Intelligence
Co-intelligence, the New York Times bestseller by Wharton professor Ethan Mollick, offers a comprehensive guide for navigating the AI-driven world. Mollick, known for his One Useful Thing newsletter, recognized the significance of ChatGPT’s launch in November 2022—a pivotal moment where AI began to mimic human creativity and innovation. In his book, Mollick explores the concept of “co-intelligence,” urging us to collaborate with AI as a partner in work and education. He challenges readers to harness AI’s potential responsibly, ensuring it enhances rather than diminishes our humanity.
Read an excerpt
“Generative AI has an oracle, and his name is Ethan Mollick. Lucky you: our oracle has written a lucid, succinct, and eminently practical guide to navigating the revolution that is right now unfolding at an astonishing pace. Co-Intelligence is the very best book I know about the ins, outs, and ethics of generative AI. Drop everything and read it cover to cover NOW.”
— Angela Duckworth, New York Times bestselling author of Grit
“Ethan Mollick has been a leader with the hands-on exploration of AI’s evolving capabilities. In Co-Intelligence, he masterfully navigates the landscape of AI advancements with insightful and informative commmentary, presented with remarkable clarity and precision. This book is an invaluable resource, offering a comprehensive gide to current trends and future expectations in AI. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of this rapidly evolving technology.”
— Eric Horvitz, Chief Scientific Officer, Microsoft
“In today’s cacophony of ‘AI hot takes’, Mollick has distinguished himself as the leading voice of reason on the implications of AI for work and education. Anyone seeking a basis of practical knowledge to understand the coming massive changes should read this insightful book right now.”
— Reid Hoffman, Co-Founder of LinkedIn and Inflection AI
Review
Accessibility for Newcomers
If you’re new to AI (and who isn’t?), Ethan Mollick’s Co-Intelligence is a must-read.
Do you truly grasp how transformer technology has revolutionized AI’s ability to “think” contextually, or how weights and fine-tuning fundamentally shape the way AI models think and behave? Have you considered why alignment is a pivotal issue in the ongoing debate over AI’s impact on society? Mollick excels at breaking down complex concepts, making it easier to grasp the deeper implications central to discussions about AI ethics and innovation. His clarity not only makes the book an excellent starting point for readers new to AI but also provides substantial depth for those already familiar with the technicalities.
Mollick’s Practical Focus
One of the book’s strengths is its unapologetic focus on the practical applications of AI. While some critics might argue that Mollick does not engage deeply enough with the ethical dilemmas or regulatory challenges AI poses, it’s important to evaluate the book on its own terms. Mollick is clear from the outset that his primary concern is not the philosophical or regulatory debates, but rather equipping the reader with the practical knowledge needed to engage with AI tools effectively. And in doing so, the engaged citizen will be doing more for the advancement of ethical concerns than those who remain on the sidelines.
In other words, understanding AI’s practical operations is crucial for grasping its ethical implications. He goes so far as to frame this engagement as a civic duty, stating, “The public needs education on AI so they can pressure for an aligned future as informed citizens.” This concept of alignment is central to the book, and Mollick’s definition is both practical and urgent: alignment refers to ensuring that AI systems are developed and used in ways that are beneficial to humanity. During training, AI models are fed large datasets that are curated to reflect ethical standards and avoid biases. The goal is to teach the AI to make decisions that align with human values, avoiding harmful or unintended consequences. Mollick contends that individual engagement with AI—not just corporate or governmental oversight—is essential for achieving this alignment.
AI as a Creative Partner
One of the most compelling chapters in the book is “AI as a Creative,” where Mollick’s expertise as an educator shines through. He effectively demonstrates how AI can augment human creativity rather than replace it, arguing that AI’s true potential lies in its ability to enhance innovative and creative work. Mollick dismantles the anxiety around AI as a replacement for human labor by reframing the discussion: AI should be viewed not as a competitor but as a collaborator in the creative process – hence the title. After all, as innovation scholars point out, novelty – not originality – is the main ingredient in creativity: “New ideas do not come from the ether; they are based on existing concepts…Breakthroughs often happen when people connect distant, seemingly unrelated ideas.” And LLMs are connection machines.
The Urgency of Engagement
Mollick emphasizes that we cannot afford to wait for consensus on the existential risks of AI before taking action: “Waiting to make these choices until the debate on existential risk is over means that those choices will be made for us.” This sense of urgency underscores the book’s call to action: readers must engage with AI now if they want to have a say in how it shapes our future. He reinforces this argument through a series of compelling examples that illustrate the rapid pace of AI development and its growing impact on various aspects of society. One particularly striking example he uses is the deployment of AI in legal systems, where algorithms are being employed to predict recidivism rates and assist judges in making sentencing decisions. The technology is already in use, and its influence is growing. Thus, if individuals and society do not actively participate in shaping how AI is developed and implemented, they risk having these decisions made for them by a few entities with their own priorities.
This approach serves to dismantle the misconception that AI is only of concern to experts or tech companies. Mollick’s examples illustrate that AI touches nearly every aspect of daily life, making it imperative for a broader audience to understand and influence its trajectory.
While some critics argue that his reliance on tangible examples and case studies might oversimplify the varied and complex realities of AI implementation across different sectors, this approach is actually one of the book’s greatest strengths. By grounding his arguments in real-world scenarios, Mollick offers readers a concrete understanding of AI’s immediate impact and the urgency of their own involvement.
Ultimately, Co-Intelligence empowers its readers not just to understand AI, but to actively participate in shaping its future—a future that, as Mollick convincingly argues, cannot wait.
Video Spotlight
David Wiley, Ph.D., is a distinguished advocate for open education and the Chief Academic Officer of Lumen Learning, where he drives initiatives to improve student success through open educational resources (OER). Dr. Wiley is currently in residence at Marshall University, where he continues his influential work in advancing accessible and affordable education. Known for his pioneering efforts in open content and open licensing, he has dedicated his career to making learning more accessible and effective for all.
Dr. Wiley joined Mary Welch for a conversation about the transformative potential for generative AI in higher education. Acknowledging recent reports on faculty tech burnout and AI hesitance, Dr. Wiley offers practical tips for getting started with generative AI. He also shares successful projects enhancing educational equity, some surprising ways students interact with AI, and the possibilities he’s most excited about.
Ethan Mollick, a professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and author of “Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI,” examines how AI is reshaping our work, creativity, and lives. In this video, he discusses AI’s evolution from simple prediction tools to advanced models and explores four potential future scenarios: As Good As It Gets, Slow Growth, Exponential Growth, and The Machine God. Mollick emphasizes that AI should be seen as a tool to enhance human performance, urging us to shape its trajectory responsibly for future generations.
In his compelling keynote at the 2024 ASU+GSV Summit, Mollick addresses the so-called “homework apocalypse” brought on by the rapid advancement of AI. Mollick argues that AI’s ability to outperform students on most assignments presents an opportunity, not a crisis. He advocates for educators to embrace AI, experiment with integrating it into their pedagogy, and contribute to a broader community effort to democratize educational technology and harness AI’s potential for positive change in education.
Podcast Spotlight
The AI Daily Brief
The AI Daily Brief is a top-ranked daily news analysis show that covers all things related to artificial intelligence. Hosted by Superintelligent founder, Nathaniel Whittemore, it provides insights into the latest developments, from new tools like MidJourney and ChatGPT to broader discussions on AI ethics and regulation.
Episodes to Check Out:
- The Debate About and Consequences of AI Regulation – This episode dives into the ongoing discussions about AI regulation, inspired by articles from The Economist. It provides a balanced view on the real risks versus theoretical ones.
- For the Hyperscalers, There’s No Such Thing as “Spending Too Much on AI” – This episode explores the commoditization of large language models (LLMs) and the financial strategies behind major AI companies.
Practical AI
Practical AI focuses on making artificial intelligence practical, productive, and accessible. The show features lively discussions with technology professionals, business people, students, and expert guests on various AI topics, including machine learning, deep learning, and neural networks.
Episodes to Check Out:
- Computer Scientists as Rogue Art Historians – Amanda Wasielewski discusses the intersection of computer vision and art history, revealing surprising insights.
- AI in the U.S. Congress – U.S. Representative Don Beyer shares his journey of pursuing a Master’s degree in Computer Science with a focus on Machine Learning, and his role in the AI Caucus.
Thinkers & Ideas
Thought-provoking conversations with leading thinkers about influential ideas on business, technology, economics, and science. Hosted by Martin Reeves, Chairman of the BCG Henderson Institute, and Philipp Carlsson-Szlezak, Global Chief Economist of BCG.
Episodes to Check Out:
- Co-Intelligence with Ethan Mollick – together with Martin Reeves, chairman of the BCG Henderson Institute, Mollick discusses how to train people to use AI effectively, whether AI will substitute or complement workers, and how businesses can move beyond a short-term efficiency gains perspective to generate value with AI in the long term.
Newsletters & Articles
One Useful Thing is a Substack newsletter authored by Ethan Mollick, a professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, offering high-quality, research-based insights into the evolving impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on work, education, and everyday life. Unlike a traditional blog, One Useful Thing delivers content directly to subscribers’ inboxes, fostering a personal and engaged reader community. The newsletter emphasizes data-supported analysis and actionable information, curated specifically for its audience to provide in-depth, practical understanding of AI’s transformative role. Readers can expect a blend of academic rigor and practical relevance, making each installment a valuable resource for navigating AI advancements.