
Product Description
Artificial Intelligence: A Guide to the Myths and Realities of AI
“After reading Mitchell’s guide, you’ll know what you don’t know and what other people don’t know, even though they claim to know it. And that’s invaluable.” ?The New York Times
In this thought-provoking and accessible exploration, Melanie Mitchell—an award-winning computer scientist—brings a human perspective to one of the most hyped and misunderstood technologies of our time: artificial intelligence. Mitchell examines AI’s turbulent history, its remarkable breakthroughs, and the deep challenges that still remain.
Through vivid storytelling and engaging insights, Mitchell tackles today’s most pressing questions: How intelligent are AI systems, really? What are their true capabilities and limitations? How close are we to human-level intelligence—and should we be afraid of what comes next?
Drawing on interviews with pioneers like Douglas Hofstadter, and exploring modern machine learning and neural networks, Mitchell exposes the gap between AI’s dazzling achievements and its actual understanding of the world. She reveals why the dream of human-like intelligence remains distant—and why this distance matters.
Artificial Intelligence is a clear-eyed, captivating guide for anyone seeking to understand how AI works, what it can (and cannot) do, and how it will shape our shared future.


