Book Reviews
"Reading Mozhgan's book has left a lasting impact on me. I feel inspired to share her insights with my students, colleagues, and the companies I work with. It's one of those rare books I wish I had written myself—deeply reflective of the balance between technology, humanity, and growth. The book reinforces my belief in the importance of blending the human and technical aspects of our work and offers practical guidance for anyone involved in digital transformation. I'm excited to pass on her wisdom and continue exploring the interplay between personal development, organizational growth, and technology."
Prof. Letizia Jaccheri
Professor of Software Engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), ACM Distinguished Speaker, and Gender Balance Advocate in Computer Science​
"What sets this book apart is its holistic, philosophical approach. Instead of focusing on AI as a purely technological advancement, Dr. Tavakolifard delves into the cultural, ethical, and societal dimensions of AI, exploring the necessary changes in management and mindset that organizations need to adopt. This broader exploration resonates with many of the conversations we are currently having at the Global AI Ethics Institute. The author moves beyond the usual discussions of AI's technicality, inviting readers to consider how AI can catalyze a deeper transformation that integrates human values and organizational growth."
President at Global AI Ethics Institute
"This book is an insightful and thought-provoking exploration of the transformative potential of AI, seamlessly blending technical expertise with a holistic, human-centric approach. It challenges readers to rethink their understanding of AI, advocating for its conscious and ethical integration into business and personal growth. The book is packed with insightful ideas, particularly when it comes to integrating AI into organizational transformation. Chapters like "Cultivating a Growth Mindset for Data-Led Transformation" and "Transformation Engineering" provide a practical framework for businesses looking to leverage AI for innovation. But this isn't just for business leaders. Anyone curious about the future, especially in this age of rapid technological advancement, will find something valuable in these pages."
Abdullah Al Imran
Staff Data Scientist (GenAI) at Infineon Technologies
Infineon Technologies is a global leader in semiconductor solutions
"When individuals and organizations are looking to advance and be a part of the AI evolution, the human should be included in the equation. I love books and one that hits the mark on the human element of AI is Dr. Mozhgan Tavakolifard's new book 'The AI Awakening: A New Era of Data, Discovery, and Growth'. In Dr. Tavakolifard's book she starts off with something that I hope becomes an element individuals and organizations who want to be a part of the AI era, if it isn't there already: awakening to transformation and cultivating a growth mindset for data-led transformation. Both of these are needed. It isn't just knowing something is there but awakening to it; what a good word, awakening. Then, having a growth mindset to move forward and be awake to AI and the future. As you progress through her book, you get to a chapter on 'Building a Climbing Team'. What a wonderful analogy for this fan of mountains. AI is a climb with hurdles, rocks, and possibly even stumbles along the way. Don't go this journey alone. Utilize Dr. Tavakolifard's book to help you in your journey. Find the key insights and pieces that help you climb the mountain of AI, but don't just climb, let the insights and pieces become a part of your organization's culture, who you are. But here is the catch: once you reach the summit, know your journey is not done. From a mountain peak you may see miles away, you may see other mountains to climb. Stay awake in this age of AI. Join the journey."
Award-winning Author and Global Data Literacy Pioneer,
SVP of Data and AI Transformation at AgileOne and Owner/Founder of Bodhi Data
"In The AI Awakening, Dr. Mozhgan Tavakolifard masterfully intertwines the themes of personal and organizational transformation, guiding readers on a profound journey of change. The book not only clarifies complex concepts but brings them to life with the author's own experiences, real-world case studies, and vivid illustrations. It powerfully advocates for a growth mindset as essential for a data and AI-driven transformation, all while underscoring the transformative potential of AI. Moreover, Dr. Tavakolifard addresses critical aspects of AI safety, governance, and ethics, grounding the book in responsible AI practices. This insightful work is a must-read for anyone looking to understand and embrace the impact of AI. "
"Da har jeg akkurat lest ferdig «The AI awakening» av Mozhgan Tavakolifard. Den er akkurat så bra som jeg forventet – og enda en god del bedre. Det er fin-fine beskrivelser av hvordan man håndterer og samler inn data, men best av alt er det filosofiske perspektivet på temaet. Hva betyr all denne datamengden for oss mennesker og hvordan kan vi bruke det til det beste? Nydelige illustrasjoner også!""
"I especially liked your approaches where you used older models and frameworks for explaining, most prominently the ShuHaRi bit.
"Little by little I took a month to read through the entire book. I can sense a lot of time, effort and research has gone in to making this book. What I liked the most about this book is, it did not discuss too much about technology. Instead, it takes a human and organization-centric approach to technology adoption, process improvement, and innovation.
Team Leader - Data & Analytics at Sporveien AS​