Reference Reviews

Reference for Students

Artificial Intelligence. Edited by Sylvia Engdahl. Detroit, Mich.: Greenhaven Press Thomson Gale, 2008. 1 vol. 171 p. $36.20. ISBN 10: 0-7377-3890-1; 13: 978-0-7377-3890-2.

The study of artificial intelligence (AI) began in the 1950s when many believed that intelligent machines could be developed because it was thought that the computer worked like the human brain. This did not prove to be true because machines lack common sense. To define everything a human knows for a computer to "know" them is impractical because of the size of the database needed to put in all the elements. Yet, we are thankful for many forms of AI such as airline reservation systems, management systems for teachers to grade papers and record grades, to check out books at the local library or groceries at the store. Scientists debate what the impact of the development of AI will have on human society. The four chapters include: "Artificial Intelligence Today," "Emerging AI Technologies," "Humanoid Robots" and "AI That Equals or Surpasses Human Intelligence." Each author is introduced briefly for the reader. For students who need an introduction to these issues, these primary sources are an excellent overview of the topic. Appendixes include "Organizations to Contact" and a brief bibliography.