Artificial Intelligence is all about humans asking computers and other machines to think and even behave like humans, and to take on jobs that people find too difficult or too boring. But how do you actually define the term? What exactly can machines with AI already do, and what might they be able to do in the future?

AI For Beginners answers all the questions - where answers exist - and raises debating points at every turn about what it all means. Should we be asking machines to do creative tasks, such as writing and illustrating books? Do we need to worry if intelligent machines need to be treated like people? Is there a chance that machines might take over the world, either by accident or on purpose? Is there any point going to school and doing homework if computers can do it all for us, and better?