If you're looking for something new to read, here are some of my recent book reviews & insights!

• The Alignment Problem by Bryan Christian - This was an eye-opening read and placed the current role of AI in our world in perspective. AI has all the hype in today's society, but it's easy to forget how many years of research have been invested in this area already, as well as the growing problems around alignment and interpretability that will be essential to solve for the well-being of society. I found it fascinating what aspects emerge as we move towards aligning the goals of AI intelligence with human motives. While the first AI programs were able to solve more concrete reward-based problems like winning a game, the human experience is so much more nuanced. There is no clear "reward" or finish line, and motives vary across each individual. As Christian states, “nothing so characterizes the human condition as the incommensurability of the various motives and goals we have".

  I'm positive about where AI can take us, and especially the possibility of helping individuals become who they aspire to be, not just to complete distinct tasks more efficiently. There is so much ground to explore around aligning AI with intristic human motivations, which include aspects of curiousity, novelty, and surprise, and differs between individuals based on their background.

• The Power of Moments by Dan Heath and Chip Heath - This book made me truly reflect on the moments I remember most vividly so far in my life. As we look back on our past, there tend to be a few “peaks” and “dips” during our lifetime that stand out obviously, usually representing key milestones, accomplishments, or turning points in our lives. The biggest takeaways I got from this book were:

  1. We should feel empowered to create more “peak” moments in our lives. These moments don’t just come to us, we can make them happen.

  2. When we look back on past experiences, we tend to remember the best parts and the worst parts. The majority of our days are, to put it bluntly, just plain boring. Taking risks and creating even short-lived, meaningful moments help us to learn more about ourselves, even if we don’t immediately succeed.

  3. Experiencing a peak moment, even if it just happened to be a few minutes, can extend our happiness and motivation levels for a long time. One special moment is all it takes — and the most memorable moments in our life and work usually involve engaging people in a way that defies the status quo.

• Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth

• Healing: Our Path from Mental Illness to Mental Health by Thomas Insel - In this memoir, Insel shares his personal and professional experiences with mental illness and the challenges of treating it. He provides a hopeful and informative perspective on the state of mental health care in the United States.

• Empowered: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Products by Marty Cagan and Chris Jones - If you're interested in product management or entrepreneurship, this book is a must-read. Cagan and Jones draw on their extensive experience in the tech industry to provide practical advice and insights on how to build successful products and teams.

• Inspired: How to Build Tech Products Customer Love by Marty Cagan - This book is another great resource for product managers and entrepreneurs. Cagan shares his expertise on what makes a successful product, and provides actionable advice on how to build products that customers truly love.

• Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson - If you're looking to improve your communication skills, this book is a great place to start. Patterson provides practical guidance on how to handle difficult conversations in both personal and professional settings.

• When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi - This memoir tells the story of a neurosurgeon who is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. It's a moving and thought-provoking reflection on what it means to live and die, and the value of finding meaning in our lives.