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How to Speak Machine: Computational Thinking for the Rest of Us
John Maeda is one of the world's preeminent interdisciplinary thinkers on technology and design. In How to Speak Machine, he offers a set of simple laws that govern not only the computers of today, but the unimaginable machines of the future. Technology is already more powerful than we can comprehend, and getting more powerful at an exponential pace. Once set in motion, algorithms never tire. And when a program's size, speed, and tirelessness combine with its ability to learn and transform itself, the outcome can be unpredictable and dangerous. Take the seemingly instant transformation of Microsoft's chatbot Tay into a hate-spewing racist, or how crime-predicting algorithsm reinforce racial bias. How to Speak Machine provides a coherent framework for today's product designers, business leaders, and polycmakers to grasp this brave new world. Drawing on his wide-ranging experience from engineering to computer science to design, Maeda shows how businesses and individuals can identify opportunities afforded by technology to make world-changing and inclusive products--while avoiding the pitfalls inherent to the medium.
240 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 1900
180 people are currently reading
1423 people want to read
About the author
John Maeda
31 books234 followersJohn Maeda [MY-ay-da] is a world-renowned artist, graphic designer, computer scientist and educator whose career reflects his philosophy of humanizing technology. For more than a decade, he has worked to integrate technology, education and the arts into a 21st-century synthesis of creativity and innovation.
Maeda's early work redefined the use of electronic media as a tool for expression by combining skilled computer programming with sensitivity to traditional artistic concerns. This work helped to develop the interactive motion graphics that are prevalent on the web today. A pioneering voice for simplicity in the digital age, he also initiated the Design by Numbers project, a global initiative to teach computer programming to visual artists through a freely available, custom software system he designed.
As a digital artist, Maeda has exhibited in well-received one-man shows in London, New York and Paris. His work is in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Cartier Foundation in Paris. In the design realm, he is a trustee of the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum and has developed advanced projects for major corporations such as Cartier, Google, Philips, Reebok and Samsung, among others.
In 2008 Maeda was named one of the 75 most influential people of the 21st century by Esquire magazine. In 2001 he earned the National Design Award in the US; in 2002, the Mainichi Design Prize in Japan; and in 2005, the Raymond Loewy Foundation Prize in Germany.
A former professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Maeda taught media arts and sciences there for 12 years and served as associate director of research at the MIT Media Lab. He has published four books, including his 480-page retrospective MAEDA@MEDIA and his most recent, The Laws of Simplicity, which has been translated into 14 languages. Maeda has lectured widely, including at Carnegie Mellon, Columbia, Harvard, Princeton, the Royal College of Art, Stanford and UCLA; at the Centre Pompidou, TED conferences and Walker Art Center; and for corporations such as Herman Miller, Sony, Steelcase, Toshiba and Yahoo!.
A native of Seattle, Maeda earned bachelor's and master's degrees in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering from MIT, followed by a PhD in Design Science from the University of Tsukuba Institute of Art and Design in Japan and an MBA from Arizona State University.
Maeda's early work redefined the use of electronic media as a tool for expression by combining skilled computer programming with sensitivity to traditional artistic concerns. This work helped to develop the interactive motion graphics that are prevalent on the web today. A pioneering voice for simplicity in the digital age, he also initiated the Design by Numbers project, a global initiative to teach computer programming to visual artists through a freely available, custom software system he designed.
As a digital artist, Maeda has exhibited in well-received one-man shows in London, New York and Paris. His work is in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Cartier Foundation in Paris. In the design realm, he is a trustee of the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum and has developed advanced projects for major corporations such as Cartier, Google, Philips, Reebok and Samsung, among others.
In 2008 Maeda was named one of the 75 most influential people of the 21st century by Esquire magazine. In 2001 he earned the National Design Award in the US; in 2002, the Mainichi Design Prize in Japan; and in 2005, the Raymond Loewy Foundation Prize in Germany.
A former professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Maeda taught media arts and sciences there for 12 years and served as associate director of research at the MIT Media Lab. He has published four books, including his 480-page retrospective MAEDA@MEDIA and his most recent, The Laws of Simplicity, which has been translated into 14 languages. Maeda has lectured widely, including at Carnegie Mellon, Columbia, Harvard, Princeton, the Royal College of Art, Stanford and UCLA; at the Centre Pompidou, TED conferences and Walker Art Center; and for corporations such as Herman Miller, Sony, Steelcase, Toshiba and Yahoo!.
A native of Seattle, Maeda earned bachelor's and master's degrees in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering from MIT, followed by a PhD in Design Science from the University of Tsukuba Institute of Art and Design in Japan and an MBA from Arizona State University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
December 8, 2019
Love this:
Q:
Perhaps I wrote this book for you. Perhaps you are the hero the world has been waiting for. Perhaps you are one of the many who will find a way to wield the power of computation with inventiveness and wonder. Those kinds of heroes are now desperately needed in order to advance computation beyond what it is today in its superpowerful, albeit running with the conflicted conscience of a teenager, form. Being new to the computational universe, you just might discover something that we first-generation techies have not yet been able to imagine. When you find it and make it into a success, it will set an example for the rest of us. I wish that heroic moment upon you someday, but first let me start you on the path to speaking the language of the machine. (c)
Computation:
Q:
Computation is an invisible, alien universe that is infinitely large and infinitesimally detailed. It’s a kind of raw material that doesn’t obey the laws of physics, and it’s what powers the internet at a level that far transcends the power of electricity. It’s a ubiquitous medium that experienced software developers and the tech industry control to a degree that threatens the sovereignty of existing nation-states. Computation is not something you can fully grasp after training in a “learn to code” boot camp, where the mechanics of programming can be easily learned. It’s more like a foreign country with its own culture, its own set of problems, and its own language—but where knowing the language is not enough, let alone if you have only a minimal understanding of it. (c)
Design:
Q:
Design matters a lot when it is leveraged with a deep understanding of computation and the unique set of possibilities it brings. (c)
Algorithmical composition:
Q:
We’ve entered an era in which the computing machines we use today are powered not just by electricity and mathematics, but by our every action and with insights gained in real time as we use them. In the future we’ll have only ourselves to blame for how computation evolves, but we’re more likely to succumb to a victim mentality if we remain ignorant as to what is really going on. (c)
Other fun stuff:
Q:
As you can imagine, the computer sat in the classroom generally unused—it was not only useless, it was soulless as an experience. No expressive or informative images. No stereo sound or the latest tunes. No utility or empowerment with an amazing set of apps. It just blinked at you, constantly, with its cursor rectangle—awaiting you to type in instructions for it to follow. And when you did raise the courage to type something into it, you would likely be rewarded with, in all caps, SYNTAX ERROR—which essentially translated to YOU’RE WRONG. I DON’T UNDERSTAND.
It’s no surprise that the computer attracted only a few kinds of students—perhaps those who grew up a bit lower on the empathy scale (like me), or those who could tolerate the crushing blow of being told they were wrong with each keystroke. (c)
Q:
For that reason, I don’t find it surprising at all when folks who write code start to develop an unusual relationship with reality, or even veer into the zone of becoming slightly mad, considering the level of power and control that coding gives them. ...
Keep in mind that composing lines of code is an extremely creative task that intrinsically involves generosity through sharing skills with others—it does not make you a bad person. But it definitely can change your perspective on the world around you if you aren’t careful. (c)
Q:
Perhaps I wrote this book for you. Perhaps you are the hero the world has been waiting for. Perhaps you are one of the many who will find a way to wield the power of computation with inventiveness and wonder. Those kinds of heroes are now desperately needed in order to advance computation beyond what it is today in its superpowerful, albeit running with the conflicted conscience of a teenager, form. Being new to the computational universe, you just might discover something that we first-generation techies have not yet been able to imagine. When you find it and make it into a success, it will set an example for the rest of us. I wish that heroic moment upon you someday, but first let me start you on the path to speaking the language of the machine. (c)
Computation:
Q:
Computation is an invisible, alien universe that is infinitely large and infinitesimally detailed. It’s a kind of raw material that doesn’t obey the laws of physics, and it’s what powers the internet at a level that far transcends the power of electricity. It’s a ubiquitous medium that experienced software developers and the tech industry control to a degree that threatens the sovereignty of existing nation-states. Computation is not something you can fully grasp after training in a “learn to code” boot camp, where the mechanics of programming can be easily learned. It’s more like a foreign country with its own culture, its own set of problems, and its own language—but where knowing the language is not enough, let alone if you have only a minimal understanding of it. (c)
Design:
Q:
Design matters a lot when it is leveraged with a deep understanding of computation and the unique set of possibilities it brings. (c)
Algorithmical composition:
Q:
We’ve entered an era in which the computing machines we use today are powered not just by electricity and mathematics, but by our every action and with insights gained in real time as we use them. In the future we’ll have only ourselves to blame for how computation evolves, but we’re more likely to succumb to a victim mentality if we remain ignorant as to what is really going on. (c)
Other fun stuff:
Q:
As you can imagine, the computer sat in the classroom generally unused—it was not only useless, it was soulless as an experience. No expressive or informative images. No stereo sound or the latest tunes. No utility or empowerment with an amazing set of apps. It just blinked at you, constantly, with its cursor rectangle—awaiting you to type in instructions for it to follow. And when you did raise the courage to type something into it, you would likely be rewarded with, in all caps, SYNTAX ERROR—which essentially translated to YOU’RE WRONG. I DON’T UNDERSTAND.
It’s no surprise that the computer attracted only a few kinds of students—perhaps those who grew up a bit lower on the empathy scale (like me), or those who could tolerate the crushing blow of being told they were wrong with each keystroke. (c)
Q:
For that reason, I don’t find it surprising at all when folks who write code start to develop an unusual relationship with reality, or even veer into the zone of becoming slightly mad, considering the level of power and control that coding gives them. ...
Keep in mind that composing lines of code is an extremely creative task that intrinsically involves generosity through sharing skills with others—it does not make you a bad person. But it definitely can change your perspective on the world around you if you aren’t careful. (c)
February 15, 2020
Blinkist summary:
Speaking machine involves understanding the fundamental differences between the ways computers and humans think. Machines think in logical loops, repeating tasks endlessly until stopped by a command. And they process quantitative, rather than qualitative data, which they can’t interpret in the same way humans can. If more people learn these differences, we can confidently face a future where computers play an even more dominant role in our lives and where no one will get left behind.
Actionable advice:
Disable third-party cookies.
You’re probably used to seeing a message asking you to “accept cookies” when you visit a website for the first time. Likely, you immediately click “accept,” which isn’t a bad thing – cookies help websites provide a better experience for you by learning your specific preferences. However, these cookies contain your personal data, and if you’re in the United States, they can be sold without your consent to other websites you’ve never visited. To take back control of whom you allow to collect your data, head to your browser settings, and disable third-party cookies.
with the title of this book as the subject line and share your thoughts!
What to read next: Deep Thinking, by Gary Kasparov
In this you will see deep learning and how machines can teach themselves to beat humans at complex games like chess. But do you know the full story of the famous AI, Deep Blue, which was able to beat chess grandmaster Gary Kasparov? Deep Thinking, written by Kasparov himself, is a classic read that explains the boundaries of AI and the role that human creativity will continue to play in the future.
So if you’re interested in an inside perspective on a revolutionary moment in computer and chess history, head on over to our blinks to Deep Thinking by Gary Kasparov.
Speaking machine involves understanding the fundamental differences between the ways computers and humans think. Machines think in logical loops, repeating tasks endlessly until stopped by a command. And they process quantitative, rather than qualitative data, which they can’t interpret in the same way humans can. If more people learn these differences, we can confidently face a future where computers play an even more dominant role in our lives and where no one will get left behind.
Actionable advice:
Disable third-party cookies.
You’re probably used to seeing a message asking you to “accept cookies” when you visit a website for the first time. Likely, you immediately click “accept,” which isn’t a bad thing – cookies help websites provide a better experience for you by learning your specific preferences. However, these cookies contain your personal data, and if you’re in the United States, they can be sold without your consent to other websites you’ve never visited. To take back control of whom you allow to collect your data, head to your browser settings, and disable third-party cookies.
with the title of this book as the subject line and share your thoughts!
What to read next: Deep Thinking, by Gary Kasparov
In this you will see deep learning and how machines can teach themselves to beat humans at complex games like chess. But do you know the full story of the famous AI, Deep Blue, which was able to beat chess grandmaster Gary Kasparov? Deep Thinking, written by Kasparov himself, is a classic read that explains the boundaries of AI and the role that human creativity will continue to play in the future.
So if you’re interested in an inside perspective on a revolutionary moment in computer and chess history, head on over to our blinks to Deep Thinking by Gary Kasparov.
November 28, 2019
I am familiar with machines. So, this book was thoroughly enjoyable as John explains the concepts very beautifully and succinctly.
July 17, 2022
John Maeda shows why not everyone needs to understand how to program a computer, but understanding how computers ‘think’ is no longer optional. With a good perspective of the different technological discussions (from the lack of diversity on the tech ecosystem to the importance of an anthropological point of view on data), he has written an entertaining, thought-provoking guide for people who want to better understand design and computing, and the relationship between the two.
He breaks down complex concepts and presents them in a way that is approachable way, showing what we all need when thinking through the many implications for what happens when the worlds of machines and humans intersect.
He breaks down complex concepts and presents them in a way that is approachable way, showing what we all need when thinking through the many implications for what happens when the worlds of machines and humans intersect.
December 21, 2019
A quick and easy read for people who live in the tech world. The author’s unusual credentials as an MIT trained computer scientist with a degree in the arts give him an unusual perspective on the ongoing conflict between a computational approach and a humanistic one in our increasingly software driven world. The book is abstract at times, as you would expect from an artist, and incredibly nerdy at others as you would expect from a techie-programmer. The Japanese Zen/Koan-style references are a bonus.
February 27, 2020
Maybe interesting for people who don't know anything, I mean ANYTHING, about computers. Otherwise, 80% of the book is very obvious stuff, sometimes an interesting anecdote or historical fact is presented but other than that little value in reading it.
February 4, 2020
The author is really obnoxious
December 17, 2024
In this book, John Maeda shares his journey from the world of design to his serendipitous entry into computing. The central theme revolves around how design can adapt to the exponentially growing realm of computation. Maeda delves into his fascination with design and its intersection with the boundless, ever-evolving landscape of computing, offering a thoughtful perspective on the challenges and opportunities this confluence presents.
The book also critiques the insular nature of the computing world, highlighting how its exclusivity can foster workplace toxicity. Maeda reflects on how his engagement with the tangible, physical world has kept him grounded, serving as a counterbalance to the intangible and infinitely flexible nature of computing. These insights give the book depth, blending personal experiences with broader reflections on the fields of design and technology.
Part memoir and part exploration of design and computation, the book offers interesting snippets and thought-provoking moments, making it an enjoyable read overall
The book also critiques the insular nature of the computing world, highlighting how its exclusivity can foster workplace toxicity. Maeda reflects on how his engagement with the tangible, physical world has kept him grounded, serving as a counterbalance to the intangible and infinitely flexible nature of computing. These insights give the book depth, blending personal experiences with broader reflections on the fields of design and technology.
Part memoir and part exploration of design and computation, the book offers interesting snippets and thought-provoking moments, making it an enjoyable read overall
July 17, 2023
MVP kind of book. Keynote speak kind of book. For the rest of us kind of book. 5 min length, a free intro YT video about loops, recursion, and product design kind of book. All of which I much expected and needed.
In fact, this book is greater than my clumsy description above. There’s cleverness and clarity in Maeda’a writing, which makes this book an excellent primer for AI as a user experience professional.
In fact, this book is greater than my clumsy description above. There’s cleverness and clarity in Maeda’a writing, which makes this book an excellent primer for AI as a user experience professional.
March 30, 2023
My thoughts after readin this book.
Forgotten hostory. It was long time ago when there was no computer at all. Humans made all calculation. For large calculations it took long long time. And here we are again, we are afraid from AI that it will take away our jobs, but from other hand we enjoy to use calculators, and all the benefits what computers do for us.
Forgotten hostory. It was long time ago when there was no computer at all. Humans made all calculation. For large calculations it took long long time. And here we are again, we are afraid from AI that it will take away our jobs, but from other hand we enjoy to use calculators, and all the benefits what computers do for us.
September 26, 2021
PERFECT boek om te lezen als je geen zin hebt om iets nieuws te leren
March 16, 2020
[read in digest]
A set of not interesting clichés with no real analysis nor added value.
Examples where AI are good and back/tricked. I spent 15 minutes reading the abridged edition: it was too much!
A set of not interesting clichés with no real analysis nor added value.
Examples where AI are good and back/tricked. I spent 15 minutes reading the abridged edition: it was too much!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2020
If you are interested to learn how computers work, understand their essential concepts like loops, recursion and magnitudes as well as what could be their implications for society, “How to speak Machine” from John Maeda is a worthwhile read.
In his usual manner, Maeda paints easy to understand pictures and explains fundamental concepts in layman’s terms, which helps you to better grasp the world of computational machines. He illustrates their character as infinitely performant, beyond comprehensible capabilities but also prone to inherit humane problems and biases.
I guess for the target group – people outside of the tech bubble – this book can help to realise the chances and risks about an ever-increasing ubiquity of computers and algorithms and be better prepared for the future to come. But for those who are already “speaking machine”, even if just the basics, the book might not provide much novelty due to its elementary level.
In his usual manner, Maeda paints easy to understand pictures and explains fundamental concepts in layman’s terms, which helps you to better grasp the world of computational machines. He illustrates their character as infinitely performant, beyond comprehensible capabilities but also prone to inherit humane problems and biases.
I guess for the target group – people outside of the tech bubble – this book can help to realise the chances and risks about an ever-increasing ubiquity of computers and algorithms and be better prepared for the future to come. But for those who are already “speaking machine”, even if just the basics, the book might not provide much novelty due to its elementary level.
November 12, 2020
I listened to it. Due to the examples, reading would probably have garnered an even more thorough understanding. However,.it opened my eyes and helped me understand so much I never thought I would about computers and AI. Not for folks already informed regarding AI and computer science necessarily, but for those who are curious and unknowledgeable, I believe this is a great entry point even if you don't agree with all of his conclusions. T
My husband is an EE, and this has sparked many conversations and a level of comprehension for what he does I didn't have before. Worth your time.
My husband is an EE, and this has sparked many conversations and a level of comprehension for what he does I didn't have before. Worth your time.
February 16, 2020
I’m clearly not the target audience of this book, as most of the topics discussed were things I’m already familiar with. I could see it being a good primer for less tech-savvy folks trying to understand the way that technology rules our lives, but I question how many of them are likely to discover and read this book.
June 6, 2020
A 15-minute version of this would make a great intro to how code is revolutionizing everything. But most of this book would be redundant to the people I know.
May 9, 2020
This a didactic love letter to computers, providing a foundation and a framework for product teams, business leaders, policymakers and everyone else to address technosocietal challenges.
Delivered with palpable passion and hope, the author’s breadth of knowledge and depth of thought are inspiring; you will learn a lot from this book irrespective of your computational experience...
-the foundation of all computation to how this level of understanding can augment multidisciplinary technical teams;
-the otherworldly nature of computational programming and how it affects perception to a philosophical approach to current and future techno societal issues.
-design thinking to recursion
-Minimum Viable Lovable Products to inclusivity
-so much more!
My favourite highlights:
holding any digital device is like grasping the tiny tentacle of an infinitely large cybermachine floating in the cloud that can do unnaturally powerful things
If all team members can speak even a little machine and have empathy for the invisible and implicit challenges of the computational universe traversed through the fingertips of developers, that’s a good start.
“Learn from human diversity.” Go thick, and go into neighborhoods and cultures that are unlike your own. That means you need to leave the safety and comfort of your home or workplace and place yourself in danger or discomfort—which is a hard sell at first, but your return on investment will be high
“Solve for one, extend to many.” Construct solutions that break your biases and help you find new markets. Innovation is what achieves growth, and innovating is about bringing new perspectives to existing problems, it gets even better when entirely new problems get introduced that wouldn’t have been obvious without a different point of view.
Machine learning feeds off the past. So if it hasn’t happened before, it can’t happen in the future—which is why if we keep perpetuating the same behavior, AI will ultimately automate and amplify existing trends and biases. In other words, if AI’s masters are bad, then AI will be bad.
John Maeda is an executive, artist, designer, technologist and technical communicator. His work explores the area where business, design, and technology merge to make space for the "humanist technologist."
https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/John-M...
Delivered with palpable passion and hope, the author’s breadth of knowledge and depth of thought are inspiring; you will learn a lot from this book irrespective of your computational experience...
-the foundation of all computation to how this level of understanding can augment multidisciplinary technical teams;
-the otherworldly nature of computational programming and how it affects perception to a philosophical approach to current and future techno societal issues.
-design thinking to recursion
-Minimum Viable Lovable Products to inclusivity
-so much more!
My favourite highlights:
holding any digital device is like grasping the tiny tentacle of an infinitely large cybermachine floating in the cloud that can do unnaturally powerful things
If all team members can speak even a little machine and have empathy for the invisible and implicit challenges of the computational universe traversed through the fingertips of developers, that’s a good start.
“Learn from human diversity.” Go thick, and go into neighborhoods and cultures that are unlike your own. That means you need to leave the safety and comfort of your home or workplace and place yourself in danger or discomfort—which is a hard sell at first, but your return on investment will be high
“Solve for one, extend to many.” Construct solutions that break your biases and help you find new markets. Innovation is what achieves growth, and innovating is about bringing new perspectives to existing problems, it gets even better when entirely new problems get introduced that wouldn’t have been obvious without a different point of view.
Machine learning feeds off the past. So if it hasn’t happened before, it can’t happen in the future—which is why if we keep perpetuating the same behavior, AI will ultimately automate and amplify existing trends and biases. In other words, if AI’s masters are bad, then AI will be bad.
John Maeda is an executive, artist, designer, technologist and technical communicator. His work explores the area where business, design, and technology merge to make space for the "humanist technologist."
https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/John-M...
December 24, 2025
Limba algoritmilor îți e o comoară citEști Business „How To Speak Machine- A Gentle Introduction To Artificial Intelligence”, John Maeda, The Mit Press, 2025
„Ce vezi pe ecran printr-o aplicație e mai aproape de aparatul de la drive-thru într-un fast food, care nu conține decât circuitul de legătură cu agitația unei fabrici de mâncare pe care o găsești câteva mașini mai încolo”. p.12 John Maeda, „How To Speak Machine- A Gentle Introduction To Artificial Intelligence”, The Mit Press, 2025
Cum te înțelegi cu inteligența artificială? Am un șef care să îți spună mai multe. John Maeda este vicepreședintele responsabil cu proiectarea și coordonatorul zonei de Computational Design al platformei AI de la Microsoft. Ales de Esquire ca unul dintre cei 75 cei mai influenți oameni din secolul 21, el îți explică în volumul „How To Speak Machine- A Gentle Introduction To Artificial Intelligence” cât de importantă este transparența atunci când e vorba despre inteligența artificială. Dar povestea lui are în centru faptul că seturile de algoritmi au mereu secvențe în care interacțiunea lor cu viața ta este definitorie. De la momentul în care un tânăr care se simte exclus descoperă logica modelelor și a predicțiilor matematice, până la jocurile verificării și nevoia reflectării valorilor umane în proces.
„Lumea computațională a fost multă vreme invizibilă, dar a devenit vizibilă și, ca să avem încredere deplină în ea, avem nevoie să fie mai transparentă și mai inteligibilă”. p.160 John Maeda, „How To Speak Machine- A Gentle Introduction To Artificial Intelligence”, The Mit Press, 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tMw7...
„Ce vezi pe ecran printr-o aplicație e mai aproape de aparatul de la drive-thru într-un fast food, care nu conține decât circuitul de legătură cu agitația unei fabrici de mâncare pe care o găsești câteva mașini mai încolo”. p.12 John Maeda, „How To Speak Machine- A Gentle Introduction To Artificial Intelligence”, The Mit Press, 2025
Cum te înțelegi cu inteligența artificială? Am un șef care să îți spună mai multe. John Maeda este vicepreședintele responsabil cu proiectarea și coordonatorul zonei de Computational Design al platformei AI de la Microsoft. Ales de Esquire ca unul dintre cei 75 cei mai influenți oameni din secolul 21, el îți explică în volumul „How To Speak Machine- A Gentle Introduction To Artificial Intelligence” cât de importantă este transparența atunci când e vorba despre inteligența artificială. Dar povestea lui are în centru faptul că seturile de algoritmi au mereu secvențe în care interacțiunea lor cu viața ta este definitorie. De la momentul în care un tânăr care se simte exclus descoperă logica modelelor și a predicțiilor matematice, până la jocurile verificării și nevoia reflectării valorilor umane în proces.
„Lumea computațională a fost multă vreme invizibilă, dar a devenit vizibilă și, ca să avem încredere deplină în ea, avem nevoie să fie mai transparentă și mai inteligibilă”. p.160 John Maeda, „How To Speak Machine- A Gentle Introduction To Artificial Intelligence”, The Mit Press, 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tMw7...
March 17, 2020
Maeda’s work is an attempt to initiate the wider public in the computational world. The idea is not to teach programming, but to demonstrate how a computer thinks and works, and what are its main principles.
Although it’s an accessible work, and it succeeds in using a language tailored to a wider audience, it lacks a certain coherence. The chapters seem to be somewhat disconnected. Of course they are talking about the same subject, but more editing would be beneficial. For instance, the chapter Machines can be Instrumented covers very different aspects and reads slow. Also, the chapter Machines are Living takes too long to get to the point, and the relationship to the arts is not so clear.
Overall, the book brings important discussions, and where it wins the most is in its accessible language. It has some good parts to use in classroom, especially the chapter on lean startup. However, the author may seem a bit deterministic in some parts, for example when he talks about AI and its impacts. It seems he doesn’t take into account economic, social and cultural factors. When talking about what machines can achieve, he sometimes doesn’t show any skepticism (for example, when describing how the cloud suggests shows and books for us with “scientific accuracy”, or when citing the famous theory of Singularity). Being a designer, Maeda is indeed interested in the humanistic side of technology, but sometimes that doesn’t appear.
An interesting book of science divulgation, and one that can be useful in some contexts, but could use a little editing to be more to the point.
Although it’s an accessible work, and it succeeds in using a language tailored to a wider audience, it lacks a certain coherence. The chapters seem to be somewhat disconnected. Of course they are talking about the same subject, but more editing would be beneficial. For instance, the chapter Machines can be Instrumented covers very different aspects and reads slow. Also, the chapter Machines are Living takes too long to get to the point, and the relationship to the arts is not so clear.
Overall, the book brings important discussions, and where it wins the most is in its accessible language. It has some good parts to use in classroom, especially the chapter on lean startup. However, the author may seem a bit deterministic in some parts, for example when he talks about AI and its impacts. It seems he doesn’t take into account economic, social and cultural factors. When talking about what machines can achieve, he sometimes doesn’t show any skepticism (for example, when describing how the cloud suggests shows and books for us with “scientific accuracy”, or when citing the famous theory of Singularity). Being a designer, Maeda is indeed interested in the humanistic side of technology, but sometimes that doesn’t appear.
An interesting book of science divulgation, and one that can be useful in some contexts, but could use a little editing to be more to the point.
February 27, 2024
About halfway through this book, I was debating giving it three or four stars, because it seemed to drag with tedious descriptions and analogies of how computers work. However, by the time I got to the second half of the book, where the author applied his observations about computation to the challenges we face with technology today, I found myself wanting to go back and reread the whole book again. I wasn't sure until near the end who this book was really intended for, but it became clear that John Maeda wrote this to inspire non-techy people, from politicians to creatives, to think differently about the challenges of AI and the lack of diversity in the tech industry. I laughed outloud when he referred to AI algorithms as zombies - seemingly alive, but not, and only wanting to devour everything - as well as his concern about the lack of diversity in tech sectors as he called out the "pale male" crowd. Additionally, he tweaks the popular lean startup mandate to create the minimum viable product (MVP) to suggest what we really need is a minimum viable lovable product (which he calls the MVLP). Ultimately, the author brings his unique background in technology and the art/design world to suggest that since our present and future will be increasingly controlled by zombie computational algorithms, the more we understand the limitations of these systems, and the more we bring our humanity to bear on the problems of tomorrow, the more we will ensure a brighter future for everyone.
March 8, 2020
Um curioso manifesto de humanismo na computação. Maeda faz parte do corrente sistema do mundo, da economia das plataformas digitais, do otimismo Silicon Valley, do move fast and break things. Parte do livro dá-nos a sua percepção como as tecnologias digitais se tornaram a infraestrutura invisível da sociedade contemporânea. Advoga a importância de reconhecermos isso, de não deixarmos a compreensão das suas capacidades e potencialidades nas mãos de uma elite, mas de encontrar formas para que todos se apercebam da extensão da influência do digital. E, para isso, é preciso conhecimento e educação. Mais, é também necessário humanismo e atenção ao design, à clareza da informação. Maeda faz um manifesto calmo e positivista para a necessidade de nos apropriarmos das tecnologias digitais, em todas as suas vertentes. Não se trata de condicionar o pensamento ao mecanicismo induzido pela tecnologia, mas sim de a usar para nos tornarmos mais humanos. Só não consegui perceber se este livro é wishful thinking, manifesto de boas intenções ou discreto ato de contrição por parte de um membro da tecnoelite global.
April 16, 2020
I’m going to make a prediction: in about a years’ time I will regret giving this book only 4 stars. I do so now not because I didn’t enjoy John Maeda’s style or stories (I did), but rather because I suspect that I have yet to grasp the significance of the ideas behind this new language of infinite loops and massive and minute scales. The ideas behind data gathering (see Facebook’s example of the “daily me report” that is our timeline) makes complete sense yet I am unable to really feel its impact on my life. Perhaps I have been subdued by the Temple of Tech to swipe and scroll in my comfort zone and never leave every time I pick up my closed system iPhone to browse my closed system app. What hits home is the biases in tech (again nothing new) and it’s unfair share of influence at the global level. The book is scary, as much as it’s necessary, for me as a practitioner of qualitative research and ethnography. Maybe it’s my first step into the world of machines and to make my mark. I’ll sleep on it and see the world with a new found lens and come back in a year to change my review. Probably.
July 1, 2024
Turned out to be pretty entry level book. Maeda spends the majority of the book’s 200 pages explaining the basics and extolling the value of UX research, product design, agile delivery, and iterative development and comparatively little on the actual premise of the book.
Both Amazon and Maeda frame the book as a way for designers to understand “the complex world of AI and machine learning” and it just isn’t that at all. He touches on AI as an eventuality but there’s almost nothing here for existing UX/product designers hoping to better understand AI.
If you’ve worked in tech before or software design you already understand almost all of what this book is offering, even if you’re a relatively non-techie designer.
Both Amazon and Maeda frame the book as a way for designers to understand “the complex world of AI and machine learning” and it just isn’t that at all. He touches on AI as an eventuality but there’s almost nothing here for existing UX/product designers hoping to better understand AI.
If you’ve worked in tech before or software design you already understand almost all of what this book is offering, even if you’re a relatively non-techie designer.
June 22, 2022
It's an interesting book — especially so for people who do not know a lot about how computers perform their tasks. By that, I mean that this book describes the logic behind computers quite well. Only, while I really enjoyed the first half of the book, it took me a while to get through the second half. I feel like it wasn't as refined and as well put together as the first part of the book, hence the three stars.
Pick it up if you're curious. You may find yourself skipping a few sections you'll find a bit less interesting, but that's ok!
Pick it up if you're curious. You may find yourself skipping a few sections you'll find a bit less interesting, but that's ok!
November 26, 2020
I absolutely loved this book. You can tell Maeda is having a lot of fun with this book. Each chapter is explained beautifully in simple terms. There is copious usage of simile and metaphor which makes hard to understand concepts digestible. I learned a lot and am so happy to have a greater perspective on computation. It's a balance of people and tech. We cannot forget the people behind the machines
February 20, 2023
This was the first book I read in my journey to learn programming, and what a way to start! How to Speak Machine is an incredible introduction to the at computers work, how products are (and should be) shipped, how AI will impact our future, and most importantly, the human’s role in it all. I really enjoyed John’s personal stories weaved throughout the book. I feel inspired and well-armed with key concepts and ideas as I begin to dive deeper into programming.
April 10, 2023
3.5ish for me.
Quick book to read. Doesn't offer a grand over-arching narative but instead is a mish-mash of trivia, anecdotes, and artistic/philosophical perspectives on computation (this last bit being it most unique strength). Despite being ultra-fluent in the art of speaking machine, I still found the perspectives of the book different. But it delivers those mixed with historical context and other trivia that may seem distracting.
Quick book to read. Doesn't offer a grand over-arching narative but instead is a mish-mash of trivia, anecdotes, and artistic/philosophical perspectives on computation (this last bit being it most unique strength). Despite being ultra-fluent in the art of speaking machine, I still found the perspectives of the book different. But it delivers those mixed with historical context and other trivia that may seem distracting.
June 13, 2025
John Maeda is one of the most humble humanist technologist I have ever met in person. This book consist of so many attributes on practicality, computation, art, inclusion and most importantly being human. It reminds me of how the world began, where it is currently and what we can be a part of with the power of AI with good intentions. The urge to learn and remain curious while crossing every barrier to see a new and gentler world.
April 12, 2020
I love John Maeda and I’ve followed him in recent years and enjoyed reading his various ‘design in tech’ reports. This book is a philosophical take on where we’re at and whilst I’d recommend it, I found it disjointed at times. I was looking forward to it but found it slightly falling short of my expectations. No doubt - he’ll remain a leading voice on sustainable and computational design.
June 26, 2020
This is a book for anyone who wants to understand how the technology world works. If you are not working in a tech related business this book will explain you in simple words an analogies how everything works. And if you are already familiar with all the concepts you'll still find a compilation of thoughts about human behavior around technology and reflections on what we could to do better.
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