Dive into the literary world of Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI.

Sam Altman is an influential entrepreneur and investor, known particularly for his role as the former president of Y Combinator, one of the most successful startup accelerators that has helped launch companies like Airbnb, Dropbox, and Stripe. Born in 1985 in Chicago, Altman started his first company, Loopt, at the age of 19 while attending Stanford University. Although he eventually dropped out to pursue his entrepreneurial ventures, his leadership at Y Combinator and his investments across various technology sectors have made him a key figure in Silicon Valley. Currently, he is the CEO of OpenAI, an artificial intelligence research lab that aims to promote and develop friendly AI in a way that benefits humanity as a whole.

If you are not learning, you are regressing; such is the nature of the world we live in.❞ — Sam Altman

Sam Altman has expressed his appreciation for reading, particularly non-fiction and scientific materials, which he integrates into his work in technology and AI. Reading plays a significant role in his ongoing education and in staying abreast of the latest developments and ethical considerations in technology. Although not frequently public about his personal life, Altman's professional advice often includes the importance of continual learning and adapting, which reading undoubtedly supports. His leadership style involves a deep understanding of technological trends and societal needs, where reading and education are fundamental to navigating the complexities of innovation.

Sam Altman's Favorite Books

Last Updated: June 2024

Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization

Brown provides a comprehensive plan for reversing environmental degradation and saving civilization, emphasizing the need for renewable energy, sustainable development, and population stabilization.

Winning

Welch, the former CEO of General Electric, shares his insights and strategies for success in business management, covering everything from leadership and hiring to competitive strategy and corporate growth.

Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies

Nick Bostrom examines the future prospects of artificial intelligence and the existential risks it poses, proposing strategies to ensure that AI developments benefit humanity.
Also recommended by:
Elon Musk 

Foundation's Edge

Asimov continues his Foundation saga with the quest to find Earth, the mythical planet where humans originally came from, which leads to revelations that could alter the future of the galaxy.
Also recommended by:
Elon Musk  Lex Fridman 

Meditations

Written by a Roman Emperor and philosopher, these personal writings and aphorisms reflect his Stoic philosophy, providing guidance on how to handle adversity and exercise self-control, and offering insights into ethical living.
Also recommended by:
Lex Fridman 

The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind

Julian Jaynes presents a controversial theory that human consciousness arose as a recent development in history, linked to the breakdown of a previous mind-state where decisions were made through auditory hallucinations believed to be the voices of gods.
Also recommended by:
David Bowie  Neil deGrasse Tyson 
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