About the Book
In a world where artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, how can we ensure that AI enhances human skills rather than replacing them? This book offers readers an accessible and insightful guide to the positive potential of AI for human augmentation.
Drawing from consultations with 150 AI experts from across 50 countries, Augmented introduces the concept of "prAIority", which connects three essential pillars: data, AI systems, and human judgment. It examines how data fuels innovation, the intricacies of designing and refining AI systems, and the critical role of human expertise in harnessing AI’s strengths. Breaking down complex ideas, this book equips readers with the knowledge to understand how AI can be integrated into their decision-making processes, ultimately empowering them to achieve better outcomes in diverse fields such as healthcare, design, and business.
With a focus throughout on human–AI collaboration rather than automation and on seamless integration—for smarter, faster decisions, and innovation—this is a must-read book for professionals looking to enhance their skills and stay ahead in the AI-driven future as well as curious beginners seeking a clear framework.
Table of Contents:
1. prAIority. 2. Human Judgment in prAIority: Critical Thinking and Tacit Knowledge. 3. Usability and User Experience. 4. Sense-React STAR Model: Increased Productivity by End-to-End Data. 5. Preventing User Frustration. 6. Generative AI. 7. prAIority for Innovation. 8. prAIority for Entrepreneurship. 9. The Future of prAIority.
About the Author :
Giulio Toscani is a dynamic thought leader in digital strategy with more than 20 years of global experience spanning academia and industry. He earned a PhD at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden, and has served as an Adjunct Professor at Esade Barcelona Pedralbes, Spain. Currently, he shares his expertise at renowned institutions such as Stockholm University, Politecnico Milano, and NUCB, Japan. As an advisor and investor, Dr. Toscani is actively involved with Navozyme in Singapore and Muns in Spain, having also worked with multinationals such as Telefonica, General Electric, Nike, and PWC on their digital transformations.
Review :
"Giulio Toscani offers a powerful case for how AI — instead of replacing us — can make us all smarter, more efficient and ultimately more innovative. A refreshing shift from "Man versus Machine" to "Man with Machine" and a must-read for anyone hoping to navigate the future of work with curiosity and optimism."
--Sandra Matz-Cerf, David W. Zalaznick Associate Professor of Business, Columbia Business School, USA
"Insightful, forward-thinking, and practical. As technology becomes increasingly integrated into our lives, balancing it with human judgment is emerging as a crucial skill for the future. The book looks into the dilemma of how much control we should allow technology in our lives. It offers a clear framework for thoughtful decision-making, helping readers navigate the intersection of innovation and ethics, leading them toward a deeper understanding of responsible technological advancement. A valuable guide for shaping thoughtful responses to the challenges ahead."
--Emilia Wietrak, Professor of People Management and Organization, ESADE Business School, Spain
"Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we live, becoming increasingly significant and intrusive in all human activities. In this context, it is essential to ensure that AI augments human abilities rather than replacing them. This book serves precisely this purpose, providing readers with a clear framework for leveraging data, AI systems, and human judgment. A highly readable and extremely engaging work, born from interactions with 150 experts from 50 different nations and written by an author whose professional and personal life embodies the spirit of "augmentation", intended as the relentless pursuit of new challenges and opportunities, adaptability in shifting contexts, and innovation through cross-cultural exchange."
--Francesco Villante, Professor of Nuclear and Subnuclear Physics, University of L'Aquila, Italy
"Giulio Toscani is a business school professor with a unique profile: he combines his executive experience in high-tech companies with his expertise in managing cross-cultural teams and his passion for teaching management at global business schools. Giulio is a true Renaissance man with a profound humanistic component, who has managed to produce solid research work at the intersection of big data, AI systems, and human judgment to illuminate this 21st-century management masterpiece. PrAIority is a fascinating book that examines the interaction between cutting-edge technology and the leadership imperative to bring a human perspective to the new world of AI. An essential read."
--Xavier Ferràs, MBA, PhD, Professor of Innovation, Operations and Data Sciences at ESADE Business School, Spain
"Giulio Toscani provides a compelling case for how artificial intelligence will enhance human abilities rather than replace them. The intersection of data, AI systems, and human judgment is where managers, decision makers, and business leaders have the most to gain from AI. This book explains how. With a strong emphasis on human-AI collaboration, ethical considerations, and the role of critical thinking, this book provides a comprehensive framework for understanding how AI will add value to various fields. It is an invaluable resource for professionals seeking to enhance their skills and stay ahead in the AI-driven future."
--Marco Tortoriello, Professor of Strategy and Organizations at Bocconi University, Italy
“Amid the daily flood of AI-generated statements, opinions, and assertions about human thinking, it is refreshing—and grounding—to read some truly human thought about AI.”
--Luis Palencia, Professor in the Department of Accounting and Control, IESE Business School, Spain
"As AI transforms decision-making, leaders must leverage data and AI while enhancing human judgment. The book introduces prAIority, integrating data, AI systems, and human judgment, positioning AI as an intellectual complement to strategic decision-making rather than mere automation. It examines how data quality shapes AI’s effectiveness, the role of critical thinking and tacit knowledge in evaluating AI, and the impact of generative AI on decision-making. It also explores AI’s applications in business, marketing, and entrepreneurship, along with ethical and regulatory challenges. As AI reshapes business, this book provides essential insights into advancing decision-making and leadership in an AI-driven world."
--Hiroyuki Kurimoto, Professor of Strategy and Organizations at NUCB Business School, Japan
"Through the concept of “prAIority,” Giulio Toscani’s book tackles one of the most pressing questions of our era: how can artificial intelligence enhance human capabilities rather than replace them? This approach emphasizes collaboration between humans and AI, ensuring that technology serves as a tool for augmentation rather than mere automation. The book provides concrete examples from healthcare, business, and design, demonstrating how AI can improve outcomes without eliminating human expertise. Although the book contains technical sections that require familiarity with AI methodologies, its clear writing style makes it accessible to readers from diverse backgrounds. This cross-disciplinary readability makes it a valuable resource for anyone looking to critically explore AI applications, regardless of their prior expertise in the field. From the standpoint of a university professor in the medical field, particularly in a highly technological discipline like Neuroradiology, where AI is often perceived as a threat to radiologists, Toscani’s balanced approach restores a proper equilibrium between data-driven decision-making and human judgment. His perspective reassures professionals that AI should not replace radiologists but rather enhance their diagnostic capabilities, integrating automation with clinical expertise, intuition, and ethical considerations. In this light, this book is highly recommended for the new generations of medical professionals, who will increasingly work alongside AI tools. Toscani’s insights provide an essential framework for understanding how AI can support, rather than replace, the clinician’s role. The book is an essential read for anyone interested in integrating AI into decision-making while preserving human expertise."
--Massimo Caulo MD, PhD. Professor and Chief of Radiology, Department of Neuroscience, D'Annunzio University of Chieti–Pescara, Italy
