I’m enjoying your view of our RenAIssance very much. I always prefer to go with a positive approach when there is one and I believe the majority of people are the same. I hope for this depiction of the future and encourage others to be open minded of the same ❣️👏
Excited for this day. Pre-ordered my official copy months ago and was honored to be a recipient of an advanced, galley-copy of the book. It is a fantastic read, informative, shared in an accessible and engaging voice (the author, Zack Kass).
This book isn't just about AI, it is about humanity, promise and what our today and tomorrow hold as a result of AI, innovation and the human contributions we all bring to the equation. The Next RenAIssance: AI and the Expansion of Human Potential is one of the most thoughtful and grounded books I have read on AI. It avoids both hype and fear, and instead offers an optimistic but disciplined framework for understanding how this technology can expand human potential rather than diminish it. By placing AI in its proper historical context, the book helps readers see this moment clearly, without distortion or alarm.
What makes the book especially useful is its focus on judgment and responsibility. Zack Kass gives leaders and professionals a practical way to think about what should be automated and what should remain human, emphasizing creativity, agency, and connection. This is not a technical manual or a speculative manifesto. It is a clear, accessible guide for anyone who wants to engage AI thoughtfully and with the long view in mind.
Saw you in Vegas at Scale Platform 2026. Bought your book the next day before my flight out. Really enjoying your insight into the past, present and future of AI.
The book came out more than a month ago - Kirkus is the only review I've found. Are reviewers scared to touch this? So easy to regurgitate all the risks right into Trump's Nuke button. But what you say about having a brain storming partner, coach, challenger, truth telling critic without personal projection or unfair emotional angles, advisor with a resevoir of human knowledge, etc. that can strengthen any kind of mind work we do. Maybe even can help streamline mechanical tasks.
Thank you for your message to Thrivent Advisors. Be human is super important as AI threatens to drain the purpose out of humanity. I, similar to you, am excited about the future with AI especially considering the impact of unmetered intelligence and, maybe more importantly, unmetered energy. Keep it up! I’ll order your book but usually never finish a book until the audiobook comes out:)
Zack, this beautifully captures the essence of the "Augment" mindset. Leveraging AI as both a structural editor and research assistant provides unmatched support, allowing you to devote your energy to the heart of storytelling.
Your four principles offer a clear roadmap for maintaining this balance. I’m especially drawn to "Learn How to Learn" in today's rapidly evolving AI landscape, it's truly our greatest asset. Thank you for your optimism and for guiding us toward the Next RenAIssance!
Eagerly awaiting my two preorders to arrive Down Under, one for me and one for the CTO I am EA to. I love that this book comes from the perspective of humanity and how we can direct AI’s potential.
I’m a research fellow at a science library, where I saw your book on the shelf in the new acquisitions section, alongside David Eliot’s Artificially Intelligent. I borrowed them both to read, because as a writer, historian, and professor I want to continue challenging my own assumptions about AI. I found myself agreeing with much of what you said, especially your guidelines for discerning what work should be automated and what should not, the importance of centering human relationships, and the distinction between vicious and virtuous friction.
I was, however, quite disappointed to learn that the book was written with AI assistance—not necessarily because you made this decision but because you disclosed it only at the very end of the work. If AI use is to be built on trust, as you indicate, there is an issue of consent at play here. Not having the benefit of this newsletter before I read the book, the only indication I had of AI usage was that, in the conclusion of the book in which you were addressed your daughter and relayed an important family anecdote—the point at which I would have expected the authorial voice to be most authentically human—I found the same story repeated a page latter with slightly different wording. I was confused, until I reached your epilogue.
I believe writers have the right to experiment with using AI in their work. Though you and I might disagree about where we draw the line between the virtuous and vicious frictions in the labor of writing a book, I also strongly believe readers have a right to know whether they’re reading something produced with AI before reading it. As you point out, AI is changing our assumptions and conventions incredibly rapidly, and our adaptions should prioritize trust and human creativity. With that in mind, I strongly feel that AI use should be disclosed at the beginning of a creative work, not the end.
Saw your presentation at FARMCON in Kansas City. So good!
Love your four principles for living better in AI age and have started discussing with my teenagers nightly.
Just ordered The Next Renaissance and can’t wait to start.
Keep up the great work Zack, it’s desperately needed!!!
Thank you so much!
Finally your book has arrived!
I’m enjoying your view of our RenAIssance very much. I always prefer to go with a positive approach when there is one and I believe the majority of people are the same. I hope for this depiction of the future and encourage others to be open minded of the same ❣️👏
Excited for this day. Pre-ordered my official copy months ago and was honored to be a recipient of an advanced, galley-copy of the book. It is a fantastic read, informative, shared in an accessible and engaging voice (the author, Zack Kass).
This book isn't just about AI, it is about humanity, promise and what our today and tomorrow hold as a result of AI, innovation and the human contributions we all bring to the equation. The Next RenAIssance: AI and the Expansion of Human Potential is one of the most thoughtful and grounded books I have read on AI. It avoids both hype and fear, and instead offers an optimistic but disciplined framework for understanding how this technology can expand human potential rather than diminish it. By placing AI in its proper historical context, the book helps readers see this moment clearly, without distortion or alarm.
What makes the book especially useful is its focus on judgment and responsibility. Zack Kass gives leaders and professionals a practical way to think about what should be automated and what should remain human, emphasizing creativity, agency, and connection. This is not a technical manual or a speculative manifesto. It is a clear, accessible guide for anyone who wants to engage AI thoughtfully and with the long view in mind.
Saw you in Vegas at Scale Platform 2026. Bought your book the next day before my flight out. Really enjoying your insight into the past, present and future of AI.
The book came out more than a month ago - Kirkus is the only review I've found. Are reviewers scared to touch this? So easy to regurgitate all the risks right into Trump's Nuke button. But what you say about having a brain storming partner, coach, challenger, truth telling critic without personal projection or unfair emotional angles, advisor with a resevoir of human knowledge, etc. that can strengthen any kind of mind work we do. Maybe even can help streamline mechanical tasks.
Thank you for your message to Thrivent Advisors. Be human is super important as AI threatens to drain the purpose out of humanity. I, similar to you, am excited about the future with AI especially considering the impact of unmetered intelligence and, maybe more importantly, unmetered energy. Keep it up! I’ll order your book but usually never finish a book until the audiobook comes out:)
I saw that my preorder went through today! Can’t wait!
Saw you at the CDW SKO keynote yesterday . It was the best keynote I have sat through in 30 years . Well
Done ! Also bought your book right afterwards!
I even sent your info my companies event planning to get you on stage at my SKO or Accelerate event this year!
Thank you for sharing your work with us
Thanks so much!
Zack, this beautifully captures the essence of the "Augment" mindset. Leveraging AI as both a structural editor and research assistant provides unmatched support, allowing you to devote your energy to the heart of storytelling.
Your four principles offer a clear roadmap for maintaining this balance. I’m especially drawn to "Learn How to Learn" in today's rapidly evolving AI landscape, it's truly our greatest asset. Thank you for your optimism and for guiding us toward the Next RenAIssance!
Eagerly awaiting my two preorders to arrive Down Under, one for me and one for the CTO I am EA to. I love that this book comes from the perspective of humanity and how we can direct AI’s potential.
I appreciate your contribution to the conversation, Zach, thank you!
My copy will be delivered today from Barnes & Noble. I am looking forward to the read.
Thank you!
Zack,
I’m a research fellow at a science library, where I saw your book on the shelf in the new acquisitions section, alongside David Eliot’s Artificially Intelligent. I borrowed them both to read, because as a writer, historian, and professor I want to continue challenging my own assumptions about AI. I found myself agreeing with much of what you said, especially your guidelines for discerning what work should be automated and what should not, the importance of centering human relationships, and the distinction between vicious and virtuous friction.
I was, however, quite disappointed to learn that the book was written with AI assistance—not necessarily because you made this decision but because you disclosed it only at the very end of the work. If AI use is to be built on trust, as you indicate, there is an issue of consent at play here. Not having the benefit of this newsletter before I read the book, the only indication I had of AI usage was that, in the conclusion of the book in which you were addressed your daughter and relayed an important family anecdote—the point at which I would have expected the authorial voice to be most authentically human—I found the same story repeated a page latter with slightly different wording. I was confused, until I reached your epilogue.
I believe writers have the right to experiment with using AI in their work. Though you and I might disagree about where we draw the line between the virtuous and vicious frictions in the labor of writing a book, I also strongly believe readers have a right to know whether they’re reading something produced with AI before reading it. As you point out, AI is changing our assumptions and conventions incredibly rapidly, and our adaptions should prioritize trust and human creativity. With that in mind, I strongly feel that AI use should be disclosed at the beginning of a creative work, not the end.
Thank you,
-Steve
I’m genuinely sorry to disappoint you, Steve.
Yes , yes , yes . Luvv this . Using AI in the same way to write my book . Congratulations