In 2024, my Landscape of Learning Evolved

Those who know me well can attest to my relentless pursuit of knowledge. I am an insatiable learner, deeply curious about a wide array of subjects including macroeconomics, technology, science, innovation, entrepreneurship, and education, among others.

Over the past year, however, my approach to learning underwent a significant transformation. Traditionally, books were my primary source of insight and a cornerstone for expanding my understanding of the world. While books remain an invaluable and profound means of acquiring knowledge, I have found myself adapting to the rapid pace of technological advancement—particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI).

The speed at which innovations in AI unfold has necessitated a shift in how I stay informed. In 2024, I consumed less from books and more from dynamic, real-time media such as podcasts, interviews with leading AI experts, TED Talks, magazine articles, YouTube masterclasses, LinkedIn Learning courses, and other platforms offering the latest developments—sometimes from mere days or weeks prior.

This shift made me wonder: Are others experiencing a similar evolution in their learning habits? And how will this trend continue to shape the way we acquire knowledge in the years ahead?

With that reflection in mind, I’ve decided to pivot this year from recommending some of the best books I read in 2024 to highlighting the top media content I consumed. Given the seismic impact AI is already having—and will undoubtedly have in 2025—I’ve chosen to focus on this transformative topic.

Here are my Top 7 Picks for 2024 (yes, not 5 or 10, but 7!):

1. Understanding the Fundamentals of AI Models To leverage AI effectively, it is critical to grasp how these models work, including their strengths and limitations. Grant Sanderson’s masterclass, Visualizing Transformers and Attention, delivered at TNG Big Tech Day '24, is the best resource I found for demystifying the complex mathematics behind AI models. LINK
2. A Conversation with AI's Visionary No discussion about AI in 2024 is complete without hearing from Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI. In this thought-provoking episode of the Lex Fridman Podcast (#419), Altman delves into GPT-5, AGI, and broader implications of AI development. Fridman’s open-minded and incisive interviewing style makes this a must-watch. LINK
3. NVIDIA’s Role in the AI Revolution Few companies have enabled and benefited from AI advancements as much as NVIDIA. This fireside chat between NVIDIA’s CEO Jensen Huang and OpenAI’s former Chief Data Scientist Ilya Sutskever (recorded in March 2023) remains incredibly relevant, providing unique insights into AI's present and future. LINK
4. Global Perspectives on AI’s Future The Future Investment Initiative conference in Saudi Arabia brought together world leaders and industry pioneers. Among its standout moments was a panel orchestrated by Peter Diamandis, featuring leaders from TikTok, Google, and others. I highly recommend this session for a comprehensive view of AI's trajectory. LINK
5. Reid Hoffman and Bill Gates on AI’s Possibilities In this engaging podcast, Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn Co-founder) interviews Bill Gates. Together, they explore the transformative possibilities of AI and its implications for humanity. This episode is as insightful as it is inspiring. LINK
6. Reid Hoffman Meets His AI Twin Taking innovation to a fascinating new level, Reid Hoffman creates and interviews an AI-powered digital twin of himself. This experiment showcases the boundaries of what AI can achieve while raising profound questions about identity and technology. LINK
7. A Book Recommendation: Co-Intelligence While I’ve focused on media, I couldn’t resist including one book recommendation. Ethan Mollick’s Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI is an accessible yet thought-provoking guide on how AI is transforming business and education. A must-read for anyone navigating this evolving landscape. LINK

These seven recommendations represent my personal highlights from 2024. My hope is that you not only enjoy engaging with them but also expand your perspective and discover something new.

As I reflect on these dynamic months of AI evolution, I am more convinced than ever of the enduring importance of uniquely human capabilities. Empathy, care, emotional intelligence, curiosity, intuition, meaning-making, ethical reasoning, and other distinctly human traits remain vital in a world increasingly shaped by AI.

So, while I encourage you to dive into the media and insights I’ve shared, don’t forget to return to books, retrospection, and those intrinsic superpowers that make us irreplaceably human.

Happy new year!