The most important technology of our time — decoded Millions use AI every day. Few understand why it works.

✓ Why large language models work ✓ Why learning replaced rules ✓ What AI means for software engineering, education, and society A clear explanation of AI from one of software engineering's pioneers, Bertrand Meyer. – Author of classic best-seller Object-Oriented Software Construction – ACM Software System Award – IEEE Harlan Mills Prize

AI for Smarties: Understanding Artificial Intelligence
UNDERSTANDING AI
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AI may be the most hyped technical topic ever, making it particularly urgent to cut through the noise and understand the good, the hype, and the ugly

Philippe Kahn Founder of Borland, Starfish, Lightsurf, inventor of the camera phone

In this impressive book, Bertrand Meyer delivers a masterclass on modern AI. He progressively guides the reader from foundational principles to advanced topics, seamlessly incorporating history, philosophy, societal implications, and key debates—all within a brilliantly engaging and accessible manuscript.

Lionel Briand Director Ireland's national research center for software research, pioneer in software testing and trustworthy AI

The book is a genuine work of demanding popularization, rooted in the tradition of le gai savoir, or perhaps in the best traditions of geek culture, where intellectual rigor is in no way incompatible with humor, curiosity, and the joy of sharing knowledge without pretension.

Stéphane Dalbera digital innovator, founder of Atopos

Clear and simple: your key to understanding why AI works

The path to Modern-AI

How the logic-based techniques of Old-AI failed and gave way to neural networks, backpropagation, gradient descent, and other techniques behind LLMs and other AI successes — explained simply and clearly.

How to use AI effectively

Modern-AI systems are impressive but imperfect. To use them effectively you must understand how they work. This books enables you to stay on top of AI and steer your career in an AI-rich world.

The risks and allure of AI

Dreams, Doubts and Dread — is AI the path to humanity's future, or a threat to the world? Go beyond the hype and vacuous claims; learn what AI really is and get it to work for you.

About the book

AI for Smarties Understanding Artificial Intelligence By Bertrand Meyer Published by Smarties Press, July 2026 272 + x pages 17 chapters + Bibliography, glossary, index Full color 82 figures, numerous other illustrations

You get more than a book

By purchasing a copy of AI for Smarties, you get access to many resources: exercises, weekly quizzes, reader forum. Best of all, you get one year of free updates — a particularly important benefit for a technology which evolves so fast.

AI for Smarties: Understanding Artificial Intelligence €29.95
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