You Gettin’ Ghosted?

Jun 11

It used to be Ghost Writers contributed to the slop in Business Education, now AI Ghost Writers are amplifying this slop.

For me, the temptation to write a book about AI is very low. Why? I believe that to write an authentic essay or book on whatever aspect of AI, you need to truly have expertise. That is why I would rather focus on fiction and the ideas and stories in my own brain. The market is flooded with new authors promoting their take on AI. Whether a ghost writer, or AI wrote it for them, what matters most is authenticity. Authenticity leads to trust and AI needs a lot of trust these days. So, I have compiled The Most Authentic AI Books: Top 9 Authors Including LinkedIn Top Voices to help guide you through the menagerie.

The intersection of authentic artificial intelligence literature and influential thought leadership on LinkedIn has created a unique ecosystem where the most credible AI authors often emerge as the platform's most followed voices. These writers combine deep technical expertise with accessible communication, making complex AI concepts understandable while maintaining scientific rigor. Their dual presence in academic circles and social media demonstrates both their scholarly credentials and their ability to engage broader audiences in meaningful discussions about artificial intelligence's impact on society.

The most authentic AI books emerge from authors who combine deep technical expertise with real-world experience and the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly. The intersection with LinkedIn Top Voices reveals how authentic thought leadership in AI requires both scholarly credibility and engagement with broader professional communities. These ten authors represent the gold standard for AI literature, offering readers both technical depth and practical insights grounded in genuine expertise rather than speculation or marketing hype.

Fei-Fei Li: The Worlds I See

Dr. Fei-Fei Li's "The Worlds I See" represents one of the most authentic personal accounts of AI development from someone who lived through and shaped the deep learning revolution. Often referred to as the "Godmother of AI" for her groundbreaking work in computer vision, Li provides an insider's perspective on how modern AI came to be. Her memoir combines technical insights with personal stories of her journey as an immigrant who became a leading figure in artificial intelligence research.

Li's authenticity comes from her pioneering role in creating ImageNet, the dataset that enabled the deep learning breakthrough, and her continued involvement in AI ethics and policy. Her book offers readers both a technical understanding of how AI works and a deeply personal account of the human stories behind technological advancement. The work has been praised by leaders across academia and industry for its balanced approach to discussing both AI's potential and its risks.

Amazon: https://a.co/d/jaGWkkB

Bernard Marr: Generative AI in Practice

Bernard Marr stands out as both a LinkedIn Top Voice and prolific AI author, with works including "Generative AI in Practice". His approach focuses on making AI accessible to business leaders and decision-makers, bridging the gap between technical concepts and practical applications. Marr's authenticity stems from his extensive consulting work with Fortune 500 companies and governments, giving him real-world insights into how AI is actually being implemented across industries.

His LinkedIn presence, where he consistently shares insights on AI trends and applications, complements his book writing by providing timely commentary on emerging developments. Marr's ability to translate complex AI concepts into business-relevant insights has made him a trusted voice for executives seeking to understand and implement AI technologies in their organizations.

Amazon: https://a.co/d/3H3NJ1f

Melanie Mitchell: Artificial Intelligence: A Guide for Thinking Humans

"Artificial Intelligence: A Guide for Thinking Humans" by Melanie Mitchell provides one of the most balanced and authentic perspectives on AI available today. Mitchell, a professor at the Santa Fe Institute, brings decades of experience in AI research along with a critical eye toward the field's limitations and challenges. Her book has been praised for its accessible yet technically accurate exploration of what AI can and cannot do.

Mitchell's authenticity stems from her long involvement in AI research, having witnessed multiple AI hype cycles. She provides readers with historical context that helps them understand current developments within the broader trajectory of AI research. Her work stands out for its honest assessment of AI's current limitations while maintaining optimism about its potential future contributions.

Amazon: https://a.co/d/cKrXOth

Ethan Mollick: Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI

Dr. Ethan Mollick's "Co-Intelligence" has been recognized as a top AI book pick for 2024, focusing on the practical integration of AI into human workflows. As a professor at the Wharton School and active LinkedIn contributor, Mollick brings both academic rigor and practical experience to his writing. His authentic voice emerges from his direct experimentation with AI tools and his commitment to sharing both successes and failures in AI implementation.

Mollick's approach emphasizes the collaborative potential between humans and AI systems, proposing frameworks for effective human-AI partnerships. His book provides four key principles for using AI as a virtual co-worker, making it particularly valuable for professionals seeking to integrate AI into their daily work practices.

Amazon: https://a.co/d/8o3bhOi

Joy Buolamwini: Unmasking AI

"Unmasking AI" by Joy Buolamwini represents an essential contribution to authentic AI literature by addressing the biases and ethical challenges embedded in artificial intelligence systems. As founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, Buolamwini brings both technical expertise and social justice advocacy to her writing. Her work provides crucial insights into how AI systems can perpetuate and amplify existing societal biases.

Buolamwini's authenticity comes from her groundbreaking research documenting racial and gender bias in commercial AI systems, work that has influenced policy discussions and corporate practices worldwide. Her book combines rigorous technical analysis with compelling personal narratives, making complex issues of algorithmic bias accessible to general audiences while maintaining scholarly depth.

Amazon: https://a.co/d/cinFPVr

Brian Christian: The Alignment Problem: Machine Learning and Human Values

"The Alignment Problem: Machine Learning and Human Values" addresses one of the most critical challenges in AI development: ensuring that artificial intelligence systems remain aligned with human values and intentions. Christian's background in both computer science and philosophy enables him to explore the technical and ethical dimensions of AI alignment with equal depth.

The authenticity of Christian's work lies in his ability to connect abstract philosophical concepts with concrete technical challenges. His exploration of how to build AI systems that understand and respect human values provides essential reading for anyone concerned about the long-term implications of artificial intelligence development.

Amazon: https://a.co/d/59mRAHz

Andrew Ng: How To Build Your Career In Ai

Andrew Ng's influence as both a LinkedIn Top Voice and AI educator cannot be overstated. As founder of DeepLearning. AI and former director of the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Ng has democratized AI education through online courses and practical frameworks. While known more for his educational content than books, his LinkedIn presence and course materials represent some of the most authentic and accessible AI learning resources available.

Ng's authenticity stems from his pioneering role in making machine learning accessible to broader audiences while maintaining technical rigor. His practical approach to AI education has enabled thousands of professionals to develop genuine AI skills rather than superficial understanding.

Amazon: https://a.co/d/3aTrtqQ

Pascal Bornet: Intelligent Automation

Pascal Bornet, author of "Intelligent Automation," brings a focused perspective on how AI integrates with business process automation. His LinkedIn presence as a Top Voice complements his book writing by providing regular insights into emerging automation technologies and their practical applications. Bornet's authenticity comes from his extensive consulting experience helping organizations implement AI-driven automation solutions.

His work bridges the gap between AI research and business implementation, providing frameworks that organizations can actually use to deploy AI technologies effectively. This practical focus makes his contributions particularly valuable for business leaders seeking to move beyond AI hype to real implementation.

Amazon: https://a.co/d/9Fjb58x

Robert Tercek: Vaporized: Solid Strategies for Success in a Dematerialized World

Robert Tercek's Vaporized: Solid Strategies for Success in a Dematerialized World provides a groundbreaking analysis of the systemic shift from physical to digital infrastructure reshaping global industries. By examining the convergence of mobile, cloud, crowd, and artificial intelligence technologies, Tercek reveals how traditional economic structures—from retail stores to human labor—are being replaced by software-defined alternatives. This transformation, termed "vaporization," challenges legacy businesses while creating unprecedented opportunities for agile innovators.

Amazon: https://a.co/d/4Y8TRHq

The authenticity of these works stems from their authors' direct involvement in AI research, development, and implementation, combined with their commitment to honest assessment of both AI's potential and its limitations. Whether addressing technical fundamentals, ethical challenges, or practical applications, these authors provide the reliable foundation needed for understanding artificial intelligence in our rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Of course, if you want to delve into the classics by the real futurists, try…

The SciFi writers of yesterday were the prophets of what is happening to us today.

About the Author

Curt Doty, founder of CurtDoty.co, is an award winning creative director whose legacy lies in branding, product development, social strategy, integrated marketing, and User Experience Design. His work of entertainment branding includes Electronic Arts, EA Sports, ProSieben, SAT.1, WBTV Latin America, Discovery Health, ABC, CBS, A&E, StarTV, Fox, Kabel 1, and TV Guide Channel.

He has extensive experience on AI-driven platforms MidJourney, Adobe Firefly, ChatGPT, Perplexity, HeyGen, Descript and OpusClips. He also runs his AI consultancy RealmIQ and companion podcast RealmIQ: Sessions on YouTube and Spotify.

As a new writer, he released his first novella Griffin and the Dark Secret on Amazon under his imprint MediaSlam Press and is working on the second installment Griffin: Future Past.

He is a sought after public speaker having been featured at Streaming Media NYC, Digital Hollywood, Mobile Growth Association, Mobile Congress, App Growth Summit, Promax, CES, CTIA, NAB, NATPE, MMA Global, New Mexico Angels, Santa Fe Business Incubator, EntrepeneursRx, Davos Worldwide, PRSANM, Robert Half, and AI Impact. He has lectured at universities including Full Sail, SCAD, Art Center College of Design, CSUN and Chapman University.

He currently serves on the board of the Godfrey Reggio Foundation and is the AI Writer for Parlay Me.

Curt Doty

Curt Doty is a former NBC Universal creative executive and award-winning marketer. As a creative entrepreneur, his sweet spot of innovation has been uniting the worlds of design, content and technology. Working with Microsoft, Toshiba and Apple, Curt created award-winning advanced content experiences for mobile, eBooks and advertising. He has bridged the gap between TV, Film and Technology while working with all the movie studios and dozens of TV networks. Curt’s Fortune 500 work includes content marketing and digital storytelling for brands like GM, US Army, Abbott, Dell, and Viacom.

https://www.curtdoty.co

You Gettin’ Ghosted?