Top AI and Data Books Every Leader Should Read in 2025

The world of artificial intelligence is transforming at lightning pace, and the explosion of new books in the field reflects its rapidly evolving nature. For leaders, professionals, and technology enthusiasts, staying current is crucial. 

This year’s must-read list spotlights works published in the last two years, providing a roadmap for mastering AI strategy, governance, ethics, and real-world deployment.

In this post we sum up the perfect recommendations from Cindi Howson, Chief Data & AI Strategy Officer atThoughtSpot.com. Personally I've added most to my NotebookLm reading list which help me break down complex topics faster. If you haven't tried NotebookLM with your reading list give it a try at https://notebooklm.google.com/

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Essential Reading for AI and Data Professionals

• The AI-Driven Leader by Geoff Woods:
  A strategic guide for executives, this book introduces the CRIT framework (Context, Role, Interview, Task) to create effective AI prompts. Woods emphasizes that human judgment should remain central, positioning AI as an invaluable tool, not the final authority.  
  
  
• Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan Mollack:
  Mollack’s bestseller simplifies AI’s fundamentals and champions a collaborative approach. He encourages readers to integrate AI thoughtfully, recognizing that its development is shaped by human values and cultural context. Ethans books have been particular influential in my evolution and I highly suggest you checkout all the titles he has to offer. 
  
  
• The Data Governance Handbook by Wendy S. Batchelder:
  Batchelder reframes data governance as a catalyst for business agility. She delivers actionable strategies for embedding governance into company culture, building support, and ensuring data integrity in an era marked by increasing security threats. 
  
  
• The Data Hero by Malcom Hawker:
  Hawker urges data leaders to adopt a proactive, “heroic” mindset. Drawing on his experience as a Gartner analyst, he fuses product management concepts with data leadership, advocating for calculated risk-taking and team empowerment.
  
  
• Generative AI in Practice by Bernard Marr:
  Marr analyzes how generative AI is reshaping industries and job roles. He provides clear guidance for adapting to these changes and predicts a new focus on high-value data curation and analysis for data professionals.
  
  
• Mastering AI by Jeremy Kahn:
  Kahn delivers a thorough exploration of AI’s impact on society, cautioning against overdependence on machines. He recommends fostering a positive feedback loop between people, data, and AI to ensure meaningful progress.
  
  
• Taming Silicon Valley by Dr. Gary Marcus:
  Marcus investigates the risks of unchecked generative AI and calls for improved public education and regulatory frameworks. He critiques the ethical gaps in Silicon Valley and advocates for responsible oversight as innovation accelerates.
  
  
• Unmasking AI by Dr. Joy Buolamwini:
  Buolamwini’s work is a vital resource for those concerned with ethical AI. She highlights the dangers of algorithmic bias and emphasizes the importance of diverse, well-curated training data for building fair systems.
  
  
• Scaling Responsible AI, From Enthusiasm to Execution by Noelle Russell:
  Russell combines personal narrative with professional insight, introducing the POET framework to balance profitability with ethical responsibility. She stresses the human dimension of implementing AI at scale.
  
  
• Your AI Survival Guide by Sol Rashidi:
  Rashidi offers a blend of memoir and actionable frameworks, sharing lessons learned from years leading AI initiatives. She provides practical advice for prioritizing AI use cases and supporting chief data and AI officers through organizational change.

Prepare for a Responsible AI Future

This expertly curated reading list equips leaders and practitioners with the knowledge to navigate the technical, strategic, and ethical complexities of AI and data. Whether you’re looking for practical frameworks, strategic insights, or an understanding of AI’s broader social implications, these books are essential for those shaping the future in 2025 and beyond.

Source: ThoughtSpot Blog