Mentioned in Podcasts

Episode · MD MEETS · 2025-10-01

Books mentioned on OpenAI CEO Sam Altman: AI Warfare, Freedom & Immortality

3 books · With Sam Altman · Listen · Watch on YouTube

In this premiere episode of MD MEETS, Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner sits down with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman for an unfiltered conversation about the promises and perils of artificial intelligence.

Mathias Döpfner discussed Homo Deus by Yuval Noah Harari and The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. Sam Altman discussed Dune by Frank Herbert.

Books mentioned, in the order they came up

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  1. Homo Deus

    Yuval Noah Harari · at 13:06

    Homo Deus by Yuval Noah Harari is a provocative historical and philosophical work that examines the next era of mankind, exploring futuristic trajectories where technology, artificial intelligence, and transhumanism threaten to transform humans into god-like beings.

    Discussed
    “Yuval Harari, the Israeli writer, wrote a fascinating book called Homo Deus where he basically describes the next era of mankind where we become almost like gods.”
    Mathias Döpfner OpenAI CEO Sam Altman: AI Warfare, Freedom & Immortality 2025-10-01 Listen at 13:06
    Where to get it
    Listen free with an Audible trialAmazon

  2. The Picture of Dorian Gray

    Oscar Wilde, Oscar Wilde, Oscar Wilde · at 18:44

    Oscar Wilde's classic novel examines the corrupting nature of vanity, morality, and the pursuit of eternal youth through the haunting tale of a portrait that ages while its subject remains untouched by time.

    Discussed
    “But I think you once said that Oscar Wilde's Dorian Gray is a book that you particularly like.”
    Mathias Döpfner OpenAI CEO Sam Altman: AI Warfare, Freedom & Immortality 2025-10-01 Listen at 18:44
    Where to get it
    Listen free with an Audible trialAmazon

  3. Dune

    Frank Herbert · at 33:05

    Dune by Frank Herbert is a seminal science fiction epic set on the desert planet Arrakis that explores themes of politics, religion, ecology, and leadership.

    Discussed
    “There are things like this in sci-fi. Dune is an example where people say this is the only way to prevent the rogue AI.”
    Sam Altman OpenAI CEO Sam Altman: AI Warfare, Freedom & Immortality 2025-10-01 Listen at 33:05
    Where to get it
    Listen free with an Audible trialAmazon
Link to this list from the episode’s show notes

For the whole show, see the MD MEETS page.