Shortest History of AI by Toby Walsh

Six ideas to understand artificial intelligence today

Since Alan Turing first posed the question, ‘Can machines think?’, artificial intelligence has evolved from a speculative idea to a transformative force. The Shortest History of AI traces this evolution, from Ada Lovelace’s visionary work to IBM’s groundbreaking defeat of the chess world champion and the revolutionary emergence of ChatGPT. It also explores AI’s cultural journey, touching on classics such as Frankenstein, A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and 2001- A Space Odyssey.

Revealing how many ‘overnight’ successes were decades in the making, this accessible and illuminating book simplifies AI into six key ideas, equipping readers to understand where we’ve been – and where we’re headed.

‘This history of AI in six simple ideas is so informative and easy to digest. Essential reading!’ -Dr Karl Kruszelnicki

‘One of the world’s brightest minds takes on one of the world’s biggest topics … Delicious!’ -Adam Spencer

About the Author: Toby Walsh is one of the world’s leading researchers in Artificial Intelligence. He is a Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the University of New South Wales and leads a research group at Data61, Australia’s Centre of Excellence for ICT Research. He has been elected a fellow of the Association for the Advancement of AI for his contributions to AI research, and has won the prestigious Humboldt research award. He has previously held research positions in England, Scotland, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland and Sweden.

29 Apr 2025
 

The Shortest History of AI by Toby Walsh ISBN 9781760645137