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New Scientist: Instant Expert
Machines that Think: Everything you need to know about the coming age of artificial intelligence
Sometime in the future the intelligence of machines will exceed that of human brain power. So are we on the edge of an AI-pocalypse, with superintelligent devices superseding humanity, as predicted by Stephen Hawking? Or will this herald a kind of Utopia, with machines doing a far better job at complex tasks than us?
You might not realise it, but you interact with AIs every day. They route your phone calls, approve your credit card transactions and help your doctor interpret results. Driverless cars will soon be on the roads with a decision-making computer in charge.
But how do machines actually think and learn? In Machines That Think, AI experts and New Scientist explore how artificial intelligence helps us understand human intelligence, machines that compose music and write stories - and ask if AI is really a threat.
ABOUT THE SERIESNew Scientist Instant Expert books are definitive and accessible entry points to the most important subjects in science; subjects that challenge, attract debate, invite controversy and engage the most enquiring minds. Designed for curious readers who want to know how things work and why, the Instant Expert series explores the topics that really matter and their impact on individuals, society, and the planet, translating the scientific complexities around us into language that's open to everyone, and putting new ideas and discoveries into perspective and context.
You might not realise it, but you interact with AIs every day. They route your phone calls, approve your credit card transactions and help your doctor interpret results. Driverless cars will soon be on the roads with a decision-making computer in charge.
But how do machines actually think and learn? In Machines That Think, AI experts and New Scientist explore how artificial intelligence helps us understand human intelligence, machines that compose music and write stories - and ask if AI is really a threat.
ABOUT THE SERIESNew Scientist Instant Expert books are definitive and accessible entry points to the most important subjects in science; subjects that challenge, attract debate, invite controversy and engage the most enquiring minds. Designed for curious readers who want to know how things work and why, the Instant Expert series explores the topics that really matter and their impact on individuals, society, and the planet, translating the scientific complexities around us into language that's open to everyone, and putting new ideas and discoveries into perspective and context.
227 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 19, 2017
59 people are currently reading
310 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 13, 2023
Quite interesting and relevant. Recommended.
March 17, 2019
An interesting reading and a good translation, I hope, on my part.
June 27, 2025
History was interesting, somewhat outdated
January 19, 2018
This is a great book. It's very basic, so you can go into it with almost no knowledge of the subject, and an easy read. It's up to date and clearly lays out some of the basic systems behind AIs, the triumphs and failures, and introduces some of the philosophical implications. An excellent introduction.
June 27, 2018
This is such an informative and all-encompassing book about artificial intelligence. I read this months ago and am still thinking about the things I learned from it. It’s a perfect introduction to some of the history, philosophy and predictions about AI. I am very curious about the subject and this satiated my curiosity better than other books I have read on the subject and gave me a good launching pad to explore more demanding works. It covers as much as it can for a relatively short book.
If you want to be more informed about our future robot overlords, look no further.
If you want to be more informed about our future robot overlords, look no further.
September 2, 2025
Disclaimer: as there currently seems to be a ferocious divide between pro and anti AI people, and that this might affect how a review of this book is seen, I'd like to state I'm fairly neutral. In my opinion, AI does some things well and other things poorly. In reading this book, my main aim was to gain a better understanding of how neural networks work. Unfortunately, this book does not provide that understanding; I'll get to that later.
The book starts with a history of AI and the thought around AI, from Turing to the early 21st century. It's an interesting and well written history, and for a reader wanting to know about this, the first couple of chapters are a recommendable read.
The book is a few years old now, and perhaps, in an area where things move quickly, this is its Achilles heel. When the book arrives at the main thing I was interested in - neural networks - it explained how it works kind of like synapses in the brain, but there is little more explanation than that. Evidently, I'll have to look elsewhere for a better understanding.
Some of the chapters on consciousness and ethics were somewhat interesting, but they tended to lack any kind of establishment of definitions of things like consciousness, creativity, or, if there was a definition, it was one that favoured a pro-AI conclusion.
The most interesting chapter was the last, which dealt with AI in the future. It gives a view of the possibilities - and impossibilities - of the future of AI.
If you're after a book to help you understand neural networks, look elsewhere! If, however, you want to know about AI more generally (history, ethics, the future) this may be an interesting read, even if it's a bit dated.
The book starts with a history of AI and the thought around AI, from Turing to the early 21st century. It's an interesting and well written history, and for a reader wanting to know about this, the first couple of chapters are a recommendable read.
The book is a few years old now, and perhaps, in an area where things move quickly, this is its Achilles heel. When the book arrives at the main thing I was interested in - neural networks - it explained how it works kind of like synapses in the brain, but there is little more explanation than that. Evidently, I'll have to look elsewhere for a better understanding.
Some of the chapters on consciousness and ethics were somewhat interesting, but they tended to lack any kind of establishment of definitions of things like consciousness, creativity, or, if there was a definition, it was one that favoured a pro-AI conclusion.
The most interesting chapter was the last, which dealt with AI in the future. It gives a view of the possibilities - and impossibilities - of the future of AI.
If you're after a book to help you understand neural networks, look elsewhere! If, however, you want to know about AI more generally (history, ethics, the future) this may be an interesting read, even if it's a bit dated.
April 25, 2025
A Concise Summary for Emerging AI Technology
-- 3,5 of 5 stars
Artificial intelligence has became one of the most powerful technology world wide. Many platforms, such as social media and several productivity apps, are intentionally using AI to enhance user experience. Beyond business applications, AI technology is increasingly expanding into personal use as well. Machines That Think invites readers to discover and understand AI revolution through perspectives of notable AI scholars.
In the early chapters, the contributors focus on the origins of AI and its unpredictable journey, marked by several setbacks and breakthroughs. Moreover, the co-authors also mention unexpected AI inventions that have drawn global attention to this emerging technology. The authors’ move forward into fascinating AI breakthroughs in fields such as medicine, transportation, and other industries related to daily life. However, the technological advancement also raise controversy and diverse opinions among academics and public alike. The potential risk of AI use are presented through experts’ interviews, leaving readers to form their own conclusions. In the final chapters, Machines That Think discusses the future of AI technology and its possible consequences for humanity.
New Scientist has brought a concise summary of the foundational AI technologies that most readers need to know. While I wish the authors had used simpler & more grounded language to explain some technical terms for easier understanding, they successfully deliver the AI controversy with neutral tone. I appreciate how the authors thoughtfully engage with sensitive topics. I respect how New Scientist presents both the pros & cons opinions of AI development in a balanced way. In addition to this controversy, Machine That Think validates the views of both public & scientists regarding the future development of AI. Importantly, the authors wisely emphasize on which aspects we should be concern about and which we need not worry over.
Overall, Machines That Think offers a concise, objective, and insightful work that raises awareness for AI users and the wider public.
-- 3,5 of 5 stars
Artificial intelligence has became one of the most powerful technology world wide. Many platforms, such as social media and several productivity apps, are intentionally using AI to enhance user experience. Beyond business applications, AI technology is increasingly expanding into personal use as well. Machines That Think invites readers to discover and understand AI revolution through perspectives of notable AI scholars.
In the early chapters, the contributors focus on the origins of AI and its unpredictable journey, marked by several setbacks and breakthroughs. Moreover, the co-authors also mention unexpected AI inventions that have drawn global attention to this emerging technology. The authors’ move forward into fascinating AI breakthroughs in fields such as medicine, transportation, and other industries related to daily life. However, the technological advancement also raise controversy and diverse opinions among academics and public alike. The potential risk of AI use are presented through experts’ interviews, leaving readers to form their own conclusions. In the final chapters, Machines That Think discusses the future of AI technology and its possible consequences for humanity.
New Scientist has brought a concise summary of the foundational AI technologies that most readers need to know. While I wish the authors had used simpler & more grounded language to explain some technical terms for easier understanding, they successfully deliver the AI controversy with neutral tone. I appreciate how the authors thoughtfully engage with sensitive topics. I respect how New Scientist presents both the pros & cons opinions of AI development in a balanced way. In addition to this controversy, Machine That Think validates the views of both public & scientists regarding the future development of AI. Importantly, the authors wisely emphasize on which aspects we should be concern about and which we need not worry over.
Overall, Machines That Think offers a concise, objective, and insightful work that raises awareness for AI users and the wider public.
March 8, 2018
Bottom line: "If we get it right, AI will make us all healthier, wealthier and wiser. If we get it wrong, it could be one of the worst mistakes we ever get to make."
I wouldn't call myself an Instant Expert after reading this book, but I am much better informed than I was about a topic that will impact us all, and it is hard to think of a quicker way to get up to speed on this fast-moving field. Some repetition aside, I was well entertained by the lively text, and enjoyed listening to some passable computer-generated music while reading ("From Darkness, Light"). I stopped short of calling upon Chef Watson for inspiration on my next dinner, but that is likely coming, too.
I wouldn't call myself an Instant Expert after reading this book, but I am much better informed than I was about a topic that will impact us all, and it is hard to think of a quicker way to get up to speed on this fast-moving field. Some repetition aside, I was well entertained by the lively text, and enjoyed listening to some passable computer-generated music while reading ("From Darkness, Light"). I stopped short of calling upon Chef Watson for inspiration on my next dinner, but that is likely coming, too.
June 7, 2018
The book is comprehensive and easy to read. There are so many basic insights about both the good old AI era and contemporary deep learning applications. If you have an idea of the fundamentals of machine learning, this book is all about applications rather than theories but they all are referenced so that you can find them accordingly.
There are 2 really interesting chapters that gave me inspiration which are “machines that create” and “will machines inherit the Earth”.
Again, this is just an overview of many applications and their possible outcomes. Do not recommend for any academic research. Just read for your own satisfaction.
There are 2 really interesting chapters that gave me inspiration which are “machines that create” and “will machines inherit the Earth”.
Again, this is just an overview of many applications and their possible outcomes. Do not recommend for any academic research. Just read for your own satisfaction.
January 6, 2019
3.5 stars - informative and easy to read but a little short on useful detail in some areas. I found several sections very interesting including the development of translation engines and ideas about why a singularity is unlikely.
October 25, 2019
An intensive and comprehensive book that gives completely new thoughts about AI and possibilities that machines can do today with Deep learning algorithms. I was a bit familiar with some ideas but I enjoy reading conversations with experts inside the book.
March 23, 2022
Yapay zeka ve gelişmekte olan teknoloji cağıyla ilgili güzel bilgiler vermekte. Cok detayli değil ama herkesin anlayacağı sadelikte her konuya mumkun oldugunca bahsetmeye calismis. Zamanı bol olan okuyabilir.
March 10, 2023
For the curious who have heard the terms machine learning, deep learning, artificial intelligence and want a "Blink' understanding of what this means. Great timeline from philosophical origins, Turing to now and what the future may hold.
June 11, 2025
"Halfway through the project the sceptics were still going strong, saying you've only finished 1 per cent of the project. But that's actually right on schedule: by the time you get to 1 per cent you're only seven doublings away."
August 23, 2018
Nice concise overview of a field I knew very little about. Good amount of historical and technical background as well as future prospects.
January 10, 2019
For those ignorant about the subject like me, it feels like a good introduction to the subject. Only further research will determine whether this holds
January 20, 2019
Good survey on the topic of AI.
May 8, 2019
Nowhere nearly as interesting as 'The end of money' by New Scientist.
A couple of interesting tid bits but it feels already out of date.
A couple of interesting tid bits but it feels already out of date.
December 4, 2020
A decent easy to read and non-technical summary of the subject.
March 20, 2025
Very interesting and relevant book in this age of AI, understanding the history and development of it.
May 4, 2022
A very comprehensive read to get to know and understand AI for beginners.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews