Co-Intelligence

I was introduced to Ethan Mollick via an episode of Simon Sinek’s podcast. He is an Associate Professor of Management at the Wharton School and an artificial intelligence researcher who studies the effects of AI on work, entrepreneurship, and education.

When I looked him up, I saw this book ‘Co-Intelligence’. I recognised it. It’s a cover I’ve spotted a few times—online and in stores—but despite some curiosity, I’d never gone as far as buying it. After watching the podcast, I grabbed a copy, downloaded it onto my Kindle, and started reading right away.

It’s a great read. For anyone wanting to get their head into the world of AI, this is a perfect place to start. Mollick explores how generative AI can act as a collaborative partner rather than just a tool or a threat.

The book centres on the concept of “co-intelligence,” where human creativity, empathy, and judgment are combined with AI's speed and processing power. Mollick outlines four guiding principles for working with AI: inviting AI to the table, remaining in the loop as the human overseer, treating AI like a person (while remembering it is a machine), and assuming this is the worst AI you will ever use.

If you are feeling a little overwhelmed by AI and are unsure of how to dive in—or even if you should—this book is an ideal guide. It’s insightful and informative, offering a balanced perspective without being unquestioning.