How AI Works: From Sorcery to Science

Ronald Kneusel’s How AI Works: From Sorcery to Science is an exceptional resource for anyone curious about the mechanics and principles behind artificial intelligence. As someone with a background in science and technology, I appreciated how the book bridges the gap between technical depth and accessibility, making it suitable for readers with varying levels of expertise.Kneusel excels at demystifying complex concepts like neural networks, deep learning, and machine learning algorithms. His explanations are clear, engaging, and often supported by visual aids that enhance understanding. I particularly appreciated the historical context he provides, showing how AI evolved from speculative fiction to a transformative scientific field.The book’s structure is logical, with each chapter building on the last. Kneusel doesn’t just explain what AI is but also explores how and why it works, offering a solid foundation for understanding its real-world applications and implications. Whether you’re an AI enthusiast, a student, or a professional looking for a refresher, this book provides valuable insights without overwhelming the reader with jargon.I highly recommend How AI Works for anyone seeking to understand the science behind one of today’s most revolutionary technologies. It’s a fascinating and approachable read that makes AI feel less like “sorcery” and more like an exciting, tangible part of our world.

I find the underlying math challenging, while this readable book gave me a general insight as to how the math is used to create, and train, AI systems

Provides an interesting overview and background explanation of AI. “Ease of reading” varies widely, however. Some of the more dense content would have been easier to understand with either simpler language or perhaps some visuals (graphs / schematics…?)Maybe AI could help…

I was looking for a simple introduction to how AI works, not philosophy and far-fetched predictions on how it would take over mankind in the future. This book was just what I was looking for. It covers machine learning and neural networks and more. You may need high-school math. I have recommended this book to others who are interested in this topic for themselves or their high-schooler children.

The book is amazing, I think that its perfect for someone who wants to learn more about what AI is and how it works, it doesnt go into anything too serious so it's great for someone starting out.

As someone who works in the field I really enjoyed this book

I bought this after getting asked for a book recommendation that ties together how data, model development, and test & evaluation all work together to create a robust AI/ML program. The first chapter of this book is the best overview I’ve found with fantastic examples along the way. It spells out concepts brilliantly without coming across as condescending or elitist - especially the dimensionality problem for images. Very well done. I will be recommending this book.

If you're looking for a survey of flavors of AI, sprinkled with opinion, this book is what you're looking for. It's like one really long sidebar. It is possibly useful to reinforce topics or provide context on an area one is about to study, or you've heard about elsewhere. This is a book of ideas, or rather, a review of ideas of the field. Buy it if you're trying to learn some of the terminology.Don't expect much actionable guidance from a technical perspective though. It isn't a book on grokking the programming or mathematics, wiring up new applications for leveraging AI, or an application cookbook of any sort.