Nobody actually knows what AI is.Oh, people will tell you they do. They'll talk about neural networks and emergent behaviour, and you'll nod politely while quietly wondering whether you left the oven on.Here's the secret: most of those people don't really know either.Understanding AI: The Word Calculator and How to Use It Well is the book that explains — in plain English, without jargon, without hype — what AI actually is, how it works, where it goes wrong, and how to use it well. It is written by Peter Hunter, who has spent decades keeping complex computer systems running, and who learned AI the only honest way: by using it for real things.You will not find any predictions. You will not be sold anything. You will not be made to feel stupid.What you will find is a clear, dry-witted guide that treats you as an intelligent adult who simply hasn't had a good explanation yet.By the end, you will know what you are doing.

Nobody actually knows what AI is.Oh, people will tell you they do. They'll talk about neural networks and emergent behaviour, and you'll nod politely while quietly wondering whether you left the oven on.Here's the secret: most of those people don't really know either.Understanding AI: The Word Calculator and How to Use It Well is the book that explains — in plain English, without jargon, without hype — what AI actually is, how it works, where it goes wrong, and how to use it well. It is written by Peter Hunter, who has spent decades keeping complex computer systems running, and who learned AI the only honest way: by using it for real things.You will not find any predictions. You will not be sold anything. You will not be made to feel stupid.What you will find is a clear, dry-witted guide that treats you as an intelligent adult who simply hasn't had a good explanation yet.By the end, you will know what you are doing.

Nobody actually knows what AI is.Oh, people will tell you they do. They'll talk about neural networks and emergent behaviour, and you'll nod politely while quietly wondering whether you left the oven on.Here's the secret: most of those people don't really know either.Understanding AI: The Word Calculator and How to Use It Well is the book that explains — in plain English, without jargon, without hype — what AI actually is, how it works, where it goes wrong, and how to use it well. It is written by Peter Hunter, who has spent decades keeping complex computer systems running, and who learned AI the only honest way: by using it for real things.You will not find any predictions. You will not be sold anything. You will not be made to feel stupid.What you will find is a clear, dry-witted guide that treats you as an intelligent adult who simply hasn't had a good explanation yet.By the end, you will know what you are doing.