AI Study Guide #1
A fun, practical, 4-week program to sharpen your AI thinking
Welcome to Unknown Arts, where builders navigate AI's new possibilities. Ready to explore uncharted territory? Join the journey!
🌄 Into the Unknown
The last six weeks of writing about AI have energized me, but they've also highlighted just how vast this field is. Every article seems to reference five essential books, each book leads to a dozen papers, and the reading list grows exponentially. Rather than letting this abundance paralyze me—or creating yet another endless book list I’ll never finish—I wanted something focused and actually completable.
So alongside my regular writing, I decided to make myself a month-long program that combines non-fiction, fiction, and film. By setting a clear starting point with a definite end, I hope to keep the momentum going without getting lost in the infinite AI landscape.
I designed this curriculum to support my own learning journey, curating a balanced exploration of AI's technical foundations and human implications. While I've studied the materials enough to build a thoughtful progression, I'll be discovering most of the content alongside you. Whether you're a technologist seeking broader context or a creative wanting to understand AI's impact, I hope you'll find something valuable in this exploration.
🧭 The Compass
This journey weaves together three perspectives that complement each other:
Foundations: Non-fiction works that ground us in the real implications of AI
Stories: Fiction that helps us imagine possibilities and wrestle with future dilemmas
Visions: Films that make these concepts tangible and emotionally resonant
Each element builds on the others, helping us develop a richer, overall understanding. The goal isn't mastery of every concept, but rather gaining new lenses through which to view AI's impact on our creative and professional lives.
Each week includes both core materials and an "Ambitious Explorer" section that offers additional guidance if you want to go deeper.
🗝️ Artifact of the Week
Unknown Arts Guide #1 (December 2024)
Week 1: Overview and Foundations (Dec 1–7)
Goal: Understand what AI is, why it matters, and what’s at stake.
Foundations
Life 3.0 by Max Tegmark
Chapters 1–3: Introduction to AI and societal stakes
Stories
The Lifecycle of Software Objects by Ted Chiang (Exhalation, Story 4)
This story explores AI relationships, long-term evolution, and the ethical dilemmas of caring for artificial beings.
Visions
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Ambitious Explorer
Tim Urban’s The AI Revolution (2-part article)
Week 2: Ethics and Risks (Dec 8–14)
Goal: Explore the societal consequences and ethical challenges of AI.
Foundations
Weapons of Math Destruction by Cathy O’Neil
Real-world examples of algorithmic bias.
Chapter 1: Bomb Parts – Introduces the concept of harmful algorithms.
Chapter 3: Arms Race – Explores AI in education and its unintended consequences.
Stories
The Truth of Fact, the Truth of Feeling by Ted Chiang (Exhalation, Story 6)
This story tackles memory and technology, juxtaposing human experience with algorithmic precision.
Visions
Ex Machina – A gripping exploration of AI ethics and autonomy.
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Ambitious Explorer
The Alignment Problem by Brian Christian
Part 1: Framing the Problem – Understand fundamental alignment challenges.
Do You Trust This Computer? (78 min)
A chilling look at AI’s darker potentials.
Week 3: Minds and Machines (Dec 15–21)
Goal: Explore how AI systems think, feel, and create alongside humans.
Foundations
The Artist in the Machine by Arthur I. Miller
Focus on case studies exploring AI and creativity.
Chapter 1: Creativity and Machines – Introduces AI’s role in the creative process.
Chapter 3: AI and Art – Case studies of AI-generated art.
Conclusion: The Future of AI Creativity – Reflects on where AI creativity is heading.
Stories
I, Robot by Isaac Asimov (two stories)
"Robbie" - Explores the emotional potential of machines.
"Liar!" - Raises ethical challenges when machines overstep boundaries.
Visions
Her – A touching story about AI and human connection.
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Ambitious Explorer
The Beginning of Infinity by David Deutsch
Selected chapters on creativity and abstraction.
Chapter 1: The Spark – Explores how human creativity drives progress.
Chapter 8: The Reality of Abstractions – Discusses the nature of creativity and abstraction.
Week 4: Future Horizons (Dec 22–31)
Goal: Envision an optimistic future of human-AI collaboration.
Foundations
The Inevitable by Kevin Kelly
Chapter 1: Becoming - How AI drives continuous technological evolution
Chapter 4: Flowing - The shift from fixed to fluid information systems
Chapter 8: Filtering - Finding value in an AI-abundant world
Chapter 12: Beginning - Embracing the human-AI future
Stories
I, Robot by Isaac Asimov (one story)
"The Evitable Conflict" - Machines and humans cooperating to solve global challenges
Visions
Lo and Behold: Reveries of the Connected World (98 min)
Werner Herzog's wandering curiosity about our connected future
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Reflection & Synthesis
Looking Back
How has your understanding of AI evolved across themes?
Which stories, books, or films challenged your thinking the most, and why?
What surprised you most about AI’s current and future impact?
Looking Forward
What excites you most about the potential for human-AI collaboration?
Which ethical questions remain most pressing to you?
What concrete steps will you take in 2025 to engage with AI creatively or professionally?
Next Steps
Write a journal entry or create a project summarizing your biggest takeaways.
Explore additional reading, media, or projects to continue your AI journey.
📝 Field Note
I've tried to pick materials that are easily accessible, whether through online sources or local libraries.
I expect many of the concepts we encounter will inspire my writing in the weeks and months ahead and surface naturally in our ongoing discussions.
I'm particularly looking forward to seeing how perspectives from this community might illuminate new angles as we each explore these materials in our own way.
🕵️ Ready to Explore?
Here's this week's mission (should you choose to accept it):
Get ready for Week 1 by getting your hands on Life 3.0 (Chapters 1-3) and Ted Chiang's Exhalation collection (I borrowed them from my library)
Queue up the AlphaGo documentary for viewing
Follow me on Bluesky where I'll be sharing thoughts and insights as I explore these materials
The journey begins today, December 1st! As we wrap up 2024, let's make space to thoughtfully explore how AI might reshape our creative future.
Until next time,
Patrick
Interested in working together? Check out my portfolio.
I love this study guide concept so much