Posted: 22nd March 2018

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the latest subject to be added to the iconic Ladybird series, in a book written by the Department of Computer Science’s Professor Mike Wooldridge.

The Ladybird Expert Guide to Artificial Intelligence, published today, chronicles the development of intelligent machines from Turing's dream of machines that think to today's digital assistants like Siri and Alexa. Mike’s book describes how people have come to rely on embedded AI software and what a world of ubiquitous AI might look like.

It is a clear, simple, and entertaining introduction to intelligent machines and the humans that program them.

Mike says: 'AI is big news at present, but there is lots of misunderstanding about what it is and what it is capable of. In this book, I want to set the record straight. The reality of AI today is far from the Hollywood dream of conscious machines, but no less exciting for that – I want to convey some of the excitement around the most exciting areas in science.'

Next week, Mike will be speaking at the (sold out) AI@Oxford, the first ever University-wide expo, which will be showcasing the reality of AI, and how Oxford is positioned to be at the forefront of it.

The Ladybird Expert series is aimed at the adult reader, and is produced in the same small hardback format pioneered by the original Ladybirds. Each book features the first new illustrations produced in the original Ladybird style for nearly 40 years.

Mike has been interviewed about writing the book by the Oldie: https://www.theoldie.co.uk/lunches/recordings/april-2018-issue-i-wrote-a-ladybird-book

The book is on the Penguin website at: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/307139/artificial-intelligence/#Jc46g2M4MgsfIetx.99