Smart Machines: How AI Is Changing Our World - Hardcover

by Helaine Becker (Author), Pui Yan Fong (Illustrator)

★"A must-buy for libraries where patrons are actively using AI tools or considering AI-related careers, this is equally valuable for those developing instruction on research methodologies, digital literacy, or copyright ethics." -- School Library Journal (SLJ), starred review

★ "This inviting offering features a unique emphasis on weighing the positive and negative aspects of AI. There's a plethora of recent titles on AI out there, but STEAM collections will still want to include this substantial and attractive guide." -- Booklist, starred review

Did you ask Siri for directions to soccer practice today or use face recognition to log on to your phone? That's AI.

The latest generation of tech tools uses artificial intelligence to perform everyday tasks. AI can speed up repetitive jobs and even be used in software to help with medical diagnoses. But when the intellectual property of writers, actors and artists is uploaded into AI systems and used without permission, AI can cause harm. In Smart Machines, young readers will look at the history of AI, how it works, how it's used for good and bad and the ethical issues it raises. They'll also discover how the risks of AI can be managed through responsible design, regulation and in the individual choices people make about which tools to use or those to avoid. AI isn't intelligent, but it's a tool that is revolutionizing robotics and computer programming--and it could change humanity forever.

The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Author Biography

Helaine Becker is the award-winning author of more than 100 books for children, both nonfiction and fiction. She is the two-time winner of the Lane Anderson Award for science writing for children, as well as the Youth Book Award (Science Writers & Communicators of Canada (SWCC)) and the Libris Award for Picture Book of the Year Award (Canadian Booksellers Association). Two of her numerous math- and science-related books focus specifically on technology and robotics: Zoobots: Wild Robots Inspired by Real Animals and Hubots: Real-World Robots Inspired by Humans. Helaine's books have been translated into 14 languages, and she is a frequent speaker at schools, universities and conferences. The very first novel she wrote (and stuffed deep into a drawer, never to be seen again) was called Robot Girl and was about an AI clone of a teen prodigy.

Pui Yan Fong is an illustrator from Toronto. As an avid sports fan, her artwork is primarily focused on sports and editorial illustration. Her work has appeared in numerous publications and was featured in American Illustration and The Society of Illustrators. Some of her notable clients include Jordan Brand and MLSE. She enjoys reading and coming up with conceptual imagery. When she is not reading or drawing, she spends her time gaming.