While running, I like to listen to books on Audible. It helps me learn while I’m simultaneously striving to stay fit. Yesterday I finished listening to All-In on AI: How Smart Companies Win Big with Artificial Intelligence, a book by Tom Davenport and Nitin Mittal. I did not meet those authors, but they taught me a great deal. We can always find people from whom we can learn, and they can influence the decisions we make going forward.
Let me share why I read All in with AI, and what I learned.
During a recent visit to the United Arab Emirates for Binance Blockchain Week, I had the privilege of meeting Christel Buchanan, a dynamic entrepreneur and lifelong learner. Christel leads a startup called Pivotal and is simultaneously pursuing a master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence at Oxford University. Her commitment to growth and self-directed learning is truly inspiring.
As part of my efforts to share stories of resilience and transformation, I invited Christel to participate in our Prison Professors curriculum. She agreed and joined me for a video interview to inspire others, particularly women, to embrace self-directed education.
During our conversation, I asked Christel for a book recommendation, and she suggested All-In On AI. Her enthusiasm for the book made it an easy decision to prioritize it in my reading list. I wanted to learn how businesses are leveraging AI to improve operations and drive growth—and to see how those lessons could inform my work and the courses I create for people in prison.
Although I use AI every day in my work, I know there is still so much more to learn. Listening to All-In On AI was a valuable experience because it broadened my perspective on how businesses are successfully implementing AI to improve efficiencies and reduce costs. The book is filled with examples of how companies are embracing AI as a strategic tool to transform their operations.
One case that stood out to me involved an insurance company using AI to track driving behavior. Through AI-powered tools, the company monitors how often people drive, whether they use their phone while driving, the times of day they are on the road, and even whether they send text messages. This data enables the company to adjust rates dynamically, based on individual risk factors.
AI allows businesses to make decisions in real time, improving both the customer experience and operational efficiency.
AI also helps companies innovate in areas like vaccine development. For instance, Moderna used AI to accelerate its COVID-19 vaccine production by identifying potential candidates and optimizing the manufacturing process faster than traditional methods. These examples underscored AI’s versatility across industries, from healthcare to logistics to retail.
The book also reinforced the importance of aligning AI initiatives with business objectives. Companies that succeed with AI aren’t just investing in the technology—they’re transforming their cultures to support experimentation, agility, and data-driven decision-making.
For me, this book reminded me of the importance of fostering a mindset of continual learning and adaptability in my own work. It also reminded me of the injustice of our prison system, which limits people from learning technology that they’ll need to integrate successfully into the world.
Lastly, the book discussed the need for ethical AI implementation, including ensuring transparency, fairness, and accountability. One change we should make is to ensure that all people have opportunities to learn and use AI to improve efficiencies in their life.
The more I learn about how companies leverage AI, the better equipped I am to integrate these tools into my own systems and workflows. AI has the potential to revolutionize how we deliver content, streamline operations, and create opportunities for people—especially those in underserved or restricted environments like prisons.
For example, while people in prison cannot access the internet, they can access the courses we deliver through the Prison Professors program. By learning about AI applications in the business world, I can create lessons that help individuals understand this transformative technology and its potential to shape their future.
Additionally, hearing how businesses align their AI initiatives with long-term goals inspires me to think strategically about the tools I implement. Whether it’s using AI to analyze data for better decision-making or exploring ways to personalize educational content, I’m committed to applying these lessons to maximize impact.
I also want to share the message with those I teach: learning about AI today isn’t just about keeping up with technology; it’s about preparing for a future where AI will play an even greater role in our lives. By exposing people to these ideas through our courses, I hope to inspire them to pursue their own paths of learning and growth, regardless of their circumstances.
All-In On AI gave me a deeper understanding of how artificial intelligence is shaping industries and transforming businesses. It’s a reminder that staying curious and committed to learning is essential for success, no matter the challenges we face. I’m grateful to Christel for recommending this book, and I’m excited to use what I’ve learned to empower others to embrace innovation and self-improvement.
‍
What book are you reading to open your mind and prepare you for success upon release?