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.

Blitzscaling: The Lightning-Fast Path to Building Massively Valuable Companies

This book provides a practical framework for a strategy that prioritizes speed over efficiency in an environment of uncertainty, and it’s used by Silicon Valley entrepreneurs to rapidly grow their companies and achieve massive scale.

A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction

This influential book proposes a functional approach to architectural and urban design, presenting 253 design problems typical of urban environments, and offering corresponding solutions based on natural and human-centered principles.

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:
Neil deGrasse Tyson  David Bowie 

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.

Call Me by Your Name: A Novel

This novel is a tender and poignant exploration of first love and heartbreak, set during a sun-drenched summer on the Italian Riviera, where a young man named Elio falls in love with a visiting scholar, Oliver.

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 

The Score Takes Care of Itself: My Philosophy of Leadership

This book outlines the leadership philosophy of Bill Walsh, the legendary San Francisco 49ers coach, focusing on his innovative management practices, commitment to excellence, and the lessons he learned about team building and leadership.

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 

Endurance

Lansing's gripping account details the incredible survival story of explorer Ernest Shackleton and his crew, who struggled to survive in Antarctica for over a year after their ship was crushed by ice in 1915.

Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future

Peter Thiel provides unconventional wisdom and practical advice for entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of innovation and creating new products that jump from zero to one, rather than improving on existing products.
Also recommended by:
Elon Musk 

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 and Earth

The continuation of the Foundation series where Golan Trevize continues his quest to understand the choice he made regarding the galaxy's future, leading to a search for Earth with profound implications.
Also recommended by:
Lex Fridman  Elon Musk 

Anna Karenina

Leo Tolstoy's masterpiece traces the tragic love affair between Anna Karenina and Count Vronsky, set against the backdrop of nineteenth-century Russian society, exploring themes of passion, loyalty, and societal norms.
Also recommended by:
Ernest Hemingway  Oprah Winfrey 

Medieval Technology and Social Change

White examines the profound impact of technological innovations on medieval society, including the stirrup’s role in changing warfare and feudalism, and the adoption of the heavy plow in agriculture.
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