Beginner’s Guide: Top 10 Introductory AI Books to Kickstart Your Learning

In this Beginner’s Guide, we have compiled a list of the top 10 introductory AI books to kickstart your learning journey. These books cover a wide range of AI topics and are suitable for those who are new to the field. 

If you are intrigued by the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and looking for a way to dive into this exciting field. Whether you are a student, a professional from a different discipline, or simply curious about AI, the right books can provide you with a solid foundation.

"Artificial Intelligence: A Guide to Intelligent Systems" by Michael Negnevitsky

Beginner's Guide

  • Key Points: This book introduces fundamental AI concepts, including problem-solving methods, knowledge representation, and machine learning.

  • This view is compounded by books in this area being crowded with complex matrix algebra and differential equations – until now. This book, evolving from lectures given to students with little knowledge of calculus, assumes no prior programming experience and demonstrates that most of the underlying ideas in intelligent systems are, in reality, simple and straightforward. The main attraction of the author’s approach is in his deliberate de-emphasising of the maths – just enough to give a valid treatment of the subject. This is what makes the underlying ideas in AI so much easier to understand. No wonder that this book has already been adopted by more than 250 universities around the world and translated into many languages.

  • Target Audience:  This book is “Beginner’s Guide” who are a genuinely lucid, introductory text for a course in AI or Intelligent Systems Design.   Beginners interested in understanding the core principles of AI and intelligent systems.

  • Why it’s Worth Reading: It provides a comprehensive overview of AI techniques and approaches, making it an excellent starting point for newcomers.

  • Brief Author Background: Michael Negnevitsky is a professor with extensive experience in AI and intelligent systems.  He is a Professor in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Tasmania, Australia. The book has developed from his lectures to undergraduates. Educated as an electrical engineer, Dr Negnevitsky’s many interests include artificial intelligence and soft computing. His research involves the development and application of intelligent systems in electrical engineering, process control and environmental engineering. 

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"Artificial Intelligence: Foundations of Computational Agents" by David L. Poole and Alan K. Mackworth

  • Key Points: This online textbook covers AI from a computational perspective, exploring topics like problem-solving, learning, and decision-making.

  • Target Audience: Those who prefer a more mathematical and computational approach to AI.

  • Why it’s Worth Reading: It offers a free, comprehensive resource for learning about AI’s computational foundations.

  • Brief Author Background: David L. Poole and Alan K. Mackworth are AI experts and educators.

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"Artificial Intelligence: Structures and Strategies for Complex Problem Solving" by George F. Luger

  • Key Points: This book delves into AI problem-solving techniques, knowledge representation, and search algorithms.

  • Target Audience: This is for “Beginner’s Guide”.  Beginners seeking practical insights into AI problem-solving.

  • Why it’s Worth Reading: It emphasizes real-world problem-solving using AI methods.

  • Brief Author Background: George F. Luger is an AI researcher and educator.

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"Artificial Intelligence: A New Synthesis" by Nils J. Nilsson

  • Key Points: This book provides historical context and covers AI topics, including reasoning, knowledge representation, and machine learning.

  • Target Audience: Those interested in AI’s historical development and its key concepts.

  • Why it’s Worth Reading: It offers insights into AI’s evolution and its foundational principles.

  • Brief Author Background: Nils J. Nilsson is a renowned AI researcher and author.

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"Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach" by Stuart Russell and Peter Norvig

  • Key Points: A comprehensive textbook that covers AI techniques, algorithms, and applications.

  • Target Audience:   This book is “Beginner’s Guide” to professionals looking for a thorough AI reference.

  • Why it’s Worth Reading: It’s widely regarded as a standard AI textbook, offering in-depth coverage.

  • Brief Author Background: Stuart Russell and Peter Norvig are leading figures in AI education and research.

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"Artificial Intelligence: The Basics" by Kevin Warwick

Beginner's Guide

  • Key Points: This concise book introduces AI concepts and their societal impact.

  • Target Audience: Readers looking for a brief, Beginner’s Guide or accessible introduction to AI.

  • Why it’s Worth Reading: It discusses AI’s influence on our lives and its ethical implications.

  • Brief Author Background: Kevin Warwick is a professor known for his work in AI and robotics.

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"Python Machine Learning" by Sebastian Raschka and Vahid Mirjalili

  • Key Points: While not solely focused on AI, this book is an excellent resource for machine learning using Python, a critical aspect of AI.

  • Target Audience: Beginner’s Guide and interested in hands-on machine learning using Python.

  • Why it’s Worth Reading: It provides practical guidance for implementing AI and machine learning algorithms in Python.

  • Brief Author Background: Sebastian Raschka and Vahid Mirjalili are experienced educators and authors in machine learning.

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"Machine Learning Yearning" by Andrew Ng

  • Key Points: This practical guide by a leading AI educator offers insights into machine learning strategy and best practices.

  • Target Audience: Those interested in machine learning and AI strategy.

  • Why it’s Worth Reading: Andrew Ng’s expertise and guidance are invaluable for AI enthusiasts.

  • Brief Author Background: Andrew Ng is a co-founder of Coursera and a prominent figure in AI education.

"Deep Learning" by Ian Goodfellow, Yoshua Bengio, and Aaron Courville

  • Key Points: This book explores deep learning, a critical subfield of AI.

  • Target Audience: Beginner’s Guide and interested in deep learning and neural networks.

  • Why it’s Worth Reading: It covers one of the most exciting and rapidly advancing areas of AI.

  • Brief Author Background: The authors

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"AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order" by Kai-Fu Lee

  • Key Points: This book provides a unique perspective on the global AI landscape, exploring the competition between China and Silicon Valley and its implications for the future.

  • Target Audience: Readers interested in the broader societal and economic aspects of AI.

  • Why it’s Worth Reading: While not a technical introduction to AI, “AI Superpowers” offers valuable insights into the geopolitical and economic impact of AI, making it an essential read for those interested in AI’s global influence.

  • Brief Author Background: Kai-Fu Lee is a prominent figure in AI and technology, having held leadership positions at Google and Microsoft and founded Sinovation Ventures, a leading AI-focused venture capital firm. His extensive experience in both the tech industry and AI research adds credibility to his insights.

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