I was recently asked by an investor for a brief guide on AI and tech resources that are beginner-friendly yet still insightful. I figure if it’s useful for a few, it’s likely helpful for the many. I’ve included a section focusing on diversity and inclusion in the AI space, as well as additional resources from specifically Black women leaders and influencers who are often underrepresented in the space.

Reputable Publications & Websites

  1. MIT Technology Review AI Section)

• Covers emerging tech trends and in-depth analyses of AI research.

  1. Wired AI Section)

• Balances tech news with longer stories on AI’s cultural, business, and societal impact.

  1. Harvard Business Review Analytics & AI

• Explores business implications of AI, including case studies and strategy insights.

  1. VentureBeat AI Category)

• Quick reads on AI startups, emerging tools, and industry announcements.

  1. TechCrunch Artificial Intelligence)

• Startup-focused coverage, including funding news, product launches, and expert opinions. If there’s a startup doing something cool in this sector, they’ll eventually get covered here one way or another.

Books & Audiobooks

  1. “Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach” by Stuart Russell and

Peter Norvig

• A comprehensive deep dive into AI (used in many university courses). This is a hefty, hefty book, but if you want to touch on a little bit of everything in an academic sense that is accessible but doesn’t shy away from the technicalities, you might find yourself well-served here.

  1. “Life 3.0 Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” by Max

Tegmark

• Accessible exploration of how AI may shape society and humanity’s future.

  1. “Human Compatible: Artificial Intelligence and the Problem of

Control” by Stuart Russell • Discusses AI alignment—how to ensure advanced AI is beneficial and safe for humans.

  1. “Prediction Machines” by Ajay Agrawal, Joshua Gans, and Avi

Goldfarb

• Examines how AI lowers the cost of prediction and the business strategy around it.

  1. “The Master Algorithm” by Pedro Domingos

• Lays out the fundamental concepts behind machine learning in an understandable way.

  1. “Race After Technology: Abolitionist Tools for the New Jim Code”

by Ruha Benjamin • Analyzes how biases are encoded into technologies and their systemic impacts, with a call for equity.

Podcasts & Audio Resources

  1. Lex Fridman Podcast

• Long-form discussions with AI researchers, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders.

  1. The TWIML AI Podcast This Week in Machine Learning & AI

• Interviews with practitioners and academics on the latest AI trends and breakthroughs.

  1. The AI Podcast by NVIDIA

• Spotlights practical applications of AI in healthcare, automotive, gaming, and more.

  1. Data Skeptic

• Short, accessible episodes on data science and AI topics.

  1. Hard Fork

• General tech show frequently covering AI news and developments in a broader context. I absolutely love the hosts—easily the most entertaining resource on this page.

  1. a16z Podcast

• From venture firm Andreessen Horowitz; covers innovation, startups, and AI-focused discussions. Most of the hosts are women, and they provide really insightful conversations while remaining less stuffy than others.

  1. The Lightcone Podcast

• Examines current AI research, philosophical questions, and future outlooks. Probably my number one resource for really getting cutting- edge info on what the industry is doing.

  1. IndieHackers

• Not strictly AI-focused; great for learning about startup culture and entrepreneurship. Started by two young Black brothers—they mostly interview indie 12 person entrepreneurs about growth. Look for the podcast, not the community.

Diversity, Inclusion & Ethical AI

  1. Dr. Joy Buolamwini & Algorithmic Justice League

• Dr. Buolamwini is known for her research on racial bias in AI systems. The Algorithmic Justice League seeks to highlight and mitigate bias in algorithms. • Website: https://www.ajl.org/

  1. Ruha Benjamin

• Sociologist and professor focusing on race, justice, and technology (author of Race After Technology). Her books are really incredible.

  1. Arlan Hamilton

• Founder of Backstage Capital, focusing on investing in underrepresented (including Black women) tech entrepreneurs; advocates for diversity in tech.

  1. Black Women in AI

• A community supporting Black women professionals in AI with workshops, networking, and educational opportunities. • Website: https://blackwomeninai.com/

  1. Timnit Gebru & Black in AI

• Co-founder of Black in AI. Advocates for Black researchers and practitioners in AI; fosters community and collaboration. • Website: https://blackinai.github.io/

  1. AfroTech

• Media platform and conference series spotlighting Black innovators, including those in the AI space. • Website: https://afrotech.com/

  1. Online Courses & Newsletters

  2. “AI for Everyone” by Andrew Ng Coursera)

• Non-technical intro to AI key concepts, use cases, and ethics. Andrew Ng also leads deeplearning.ai and publishes The Batch newsletter. Most of his work serves as a good intro to anything in this field. • About Andrew Ng: Co-founder of Coursera, led AI teams at Google and Baidu, and is one of the most influential figures in AI.

  1. Elements of AI

• Free, beginner-friendly course from the University of Helsinki that offers a clear foundation in AI without overwhelming technical jargon. • Website: https://www.elementsofai.com/

  1. deeplearning.ai

• Offers in-depth machine learning courses, advanced specializations, and a weekly newsletter by Andrew Ng.

  1. OpenAI Blog

• Outlines technical developments, safety research, and product releases from a leading AI research lab.

  1. DeepMind Blog

• Showcases cutting-edge research in reinforcement learning and neuroscience-inspired AI.

  1. Anthropic Blog

• Insights on large language models, AI safety, and ethics from a major AI research organization. They’re at the forefront of human-centered AI.

  1. Helpful Startup & Entrepreneurship Resources

• IndieHackers Podcast & Community)

• Engaging stories of founders and how they built their businesses, including those incorporating AI.

• TechCrunch Startups Section)

• Beyond AI, a good snapshot of new companies, funding rounds, and market trends. • Arlan Hamilton’s “Your First Million” Podcast • Conversations with successful entrepreneurs and investors, highlighting strategies for underrepresented groups.

A Few Final Tips & Takeaways

• Mix Reading with Listening Combine audiobooks or podcasts with more detailed written material. It’s a great way to reinforce what you learn. Given the rapid nature of the industry, podcasts provide me just as much information as books. • Stay Curious and Open The AI field evolves quickly. Exploring a blend of technical, business, and ethical perspectives will give you a well-rounded view. This is one of the rare moments in the tech world where we’re experiencing a bit of a reset—the wild, wild west where incumbents and new entrants are often on equal footing. • Engage with Communities Following leaders like Dr. Joy Buolamwini, Ruha Benjamin, Timnit Gebru, and Andrew Ng on social media Threads, Bluesky)—and joining communities like Black Women in AI—will keep you plugged into the latest conversations and opportunities. I hope these additions and resources provide even more support on your journey toward greater AI expertise. As always, let me know if there’s anything else you need! Best regards,

Brandon John-Freso

CTO @ ALTR.