Artificial Intelligence

September 1, 2019
This is an addictive stroll through the annals of artificial intelligence, highlighting almost 100 innovations developed between 1300 BCE and 2018. The chronologically arranged, brief (three or four paragraphs), but authoritative entries are complemented by full-page illustrations and range from the mythological (Lancelot's copper knights, The Terminator) to the actual (da Vinci's robot knight, the Roomba) and from gaming (tic-tac-toe, backgammon, the Rubik's Cube, Jeopardy) to more serious pursuits (face and voice recognition, autonomous robotic surgery). Readers will find basic information regarding the who, what, when, where, and how of each subject, plus accounts of public reception and practical applications, if any. Many familiar names appear: Aristotle, Tesla, ENIAC, Hal 9000; other references may be a bit more obscure, like The Steam Man of the Prairies, a sf novel published in 1868. Features include an index, cross-references to related articles within the book, and recommendations for more comprehensive further-reading selections. This is an enjoyable diversion to read cover to cover, follow along common strands, or dip into for random bits.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)