BSBI Barcelona Launches ‘Autumn Reads’: A Curated List of Must-Read Books for Future Innovators
As the leaves begin to fall, fresh perspectives emerge at the Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI) Barcelona, where learning extends well beyond the classroom. This autumn, BSBI introduced Autumn Reads, a curated selection of books chosen by its expert faculty and an innovative Danish entrepreneur. The initiative aims to inspire students, academics, and business leaders to think critically about the future of innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship.
The reading list was unveiled during El After BSBI, a dynamic networking and discussion event led by Dr. Gemma Vallet, BSBI Vice Dean, and supported by Prof. Dr. Kyriakos Kouveliotis, Provost and CAO at BSBI and Chief Academic Officer at GUS Germany GmbH. The session, held in friendly partnership with MONDAY Coworking, a network of architecturally striking coworking spaces in Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, and Málaga, brought together faculty members, students, and industry experts for an evening of ideas, collaboration, and inspiration.
A Reading List that Reflects Today’s Challenges and Tomorrow’s Opportunities
The Autumn Reads list embodies the spirit of BSBI: combining academic depth with practical insights. Each title explores the intersections of artificial intelligence, sustainability, and entrepreneurship, themes that are redefining global business and society.
Voices Behind the Curations
- Dr. Jorge Rodriguez, Lecturer at BSBI Barcelona and expert in business strategy, recommends AI 2041 by Kai-Fu Lee and Chen Qiufan — a visionary blend of storytelling and scientific insight into our AI-driven future.
- Carolina Olaya, Lecturer at BSBI Barcelona, suggests Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari, a fascinating exploration of how networks have shaped human progress from the Stone Age to the era of artificial intelligence.
- Dr. Gemma Vallet, BSBI Vice Dean, presents a thought-provoking set of titles — Empire of AI, Rewired, The AI Con, The Zero Marginal Cost Society, and A Life on Our Planet — reflecting her commitment to sustainable innovation and responsible technology.
- Thomas Thulesen, Co-Founder of the Danish global firm Wavy Wanders, adds an entrepreneurial touch with Range and Main Street Millionaire, books that celebrate curiosity, adaptability, and unconventional paths to success.
- Prof. Dr. Kyriakos Kouveliotis, Provost and CAO at BSBI, contributes the Scientific Journal of Business and Innovation, Special Issue (September 2025), focusing on corporate citizenship, sustainable development, and innovation in research.
The 11 Essential Reads
- AI 2041: Ten Visions for Our Future – Kai-Fu Lee & Chen Qiufan
- AI First: The Playbook for a Future-Proof Business and Brand – Adam Brotman & Andy Sack
- Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman’s OpenAI – Karen Hao
- Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI – Yuval Noah Harari
- Rewired: The McKinsey Guide to Outcompeting in the Age of Digital and AI – Eric Lamarre, Kate Smaje & Rodney Zemmel
- The AI Con: How to Fight Big Tech’s Hype and Create the Future We Want – Emily M. Bender & Alex Hanna
- The Zero Marginal Cost Society – Jeremy Rifkin
- A Life on Our Planet – Sir David Attenborough
- Range: How Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World – David Epstein
- Main Street Millionaire: How to Make Extraordinary Wealth Buying Ordinary Businesses – Codie Sanchez
- Scientific Journal of Business and Innovation, Special Issue (Sept 2025) – Prof. Dr. Kyriakos Kouveliotis (Chief Editor)
More Than a Reading List — A Roadmap for Growth
For BSBI Barcelona, Autumn Reads is not just about books — it’s about bridging worlds. The initiative connects theory with practice, academia with entrepreneurship, and technology with sustainability. It encourages a mindset of curiosity, adaptability, and responsibility among the next generation of leaders.
About El After BSBI
El After BSBI takes place almost every month, an informal evening (“tardeo”) designed to foster connections among BSBI faculty, entrepreneurs, and students. Hosted across Southern Europe in partnership with MONDAY Coworking, it continues to expand its reach, offering a vibrant platform for exchanging ideas in inspiring, contemporary spaces.
At BSBI, learning is designed to evolve alongside the world, encouraging curiosity, creativity, and global collaboration. Through initiatives like Autumn Reads, BSBI reaffirms its mission to shape not only skilled professionals but also forward-thinking leaders who drive meaningful change.