Artificial Intelligence: The Quest for the Ultimate Thinking Machine

by Richard Urwin

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)? What can it do and how is it created? In this highly accessible guide to the subject, Richard Urwin bases his assessment of AI on the definition of AI as a tool that is 'constructed to aid or substitute for human thought'. He explains how AI came about, the importance of the development of the computer and then examines how AI has developed over the years through the construction of computer programs and how the language used to construct these programs has become more and more sophisticated, thus allowing AI to become better and better. Along the way, you will discover numerous intriguing examples of how scientists have progressed the development of AI, learn about Fuzzy Logic and the ups and downs of computer programming, as well as finding out how research into brain function is continually influencing the field of AI. By turns fascinating and scary, Artificial Intelligence will take the reader on an amazing journey that covers everything from the habits of ants to the world of the stock market.

192 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2017

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this from Netgalley for a fair and honest review.

Upon first getting this book I was hoping for a good and entertaining read about AI. Instead, I got a somewhat boring and just the facts book about the development of AI. Although it was kind of slow I did find some of the information presented to be interesting. I also thought it ended rather abruptly with just a "what if" scenario of computers going out of control. There could have been about this topic to help balance out the book, but it is what it is.

[George Kasnic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not just limited to AI, a far-reaching surface history of computing. That rare book where history, computer logic, and mathematics come together. British author with some British idioms, but a worthwhile foray into the subject, with measured opinions of what might occur over time.

[Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a completely breathtaking read by any means but definitely worth a read. The concepts are pretty interesting and things I've covered in the software engineering curriculum in my school. The first half is definitely a review so you can definitely skip it if you have any background in computers. The second half gets into topics I am familiar with but not knowledgable in leading it to be an interesting read I found hard to put down. Would recommend it to individuals passionate about computers but not to someone who just picks it up cause it looks cool.

[Laura Wessels · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a three point five star read. I really Thought the author did a good job of going through the history of computing but I do feel that it needs to be updated.The copy I have has a copyright date.That's only a year olds , but the actual text is probably a good 5 to ten years old when we get to the actual ai portions. But I do feel they did a really good job on the technical explanations for a non-technical audience.I don't think you have to know a lot about computing to understand what the author is explaining.

[Krishnan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit of a bummer reading this book and not really getting excited by AI. Either because it's over hyped or because the author has not done the best of jobs talking about what AI can and will do

[Cris Gastardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Artificial intelligence is a human invention… just like economy it will enslave us.

[Mark Pedigo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice, quick overview of the history of AI.

[Paul Han · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's amazing to know how attempts to create an intelligent machine has come a long way until today, and it's still ongoing as programmers attempt to enhance it.

[Steve WEST · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting,a little confusing.