As a seasoned technology executive I've witnessed firsthand the rise and fall of countless buzzwords and the hype cycles that accompany them (virtualization, SaaS, cloud enabled, etc). Today, we find ourselves amidst the whirlwind of Generative AI (GenAI), a technology with undeniable potential, but also one that is currently drowning in a sea of marketing hyperbole. Every company seems to be slapping an "AI-powered" label on their products, and the constant barrage of articles, webinars, and conferences can leave even the most seasoned executive feeling overwhelmed and, frankly, a bit jaded.

This is where Yuval Noah Harari's Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to the AI Age provides a much-needed dose of perspective. While not solely focused on AI, Harari's exploration of information networks throughout history offers a powerful framework for understanding the current GenAI frenzy and navigating it with a more discerning eye.