Human history has always been shaped by technology, but AI is like no technology that has come before it. Unlike the wheel, combustion engines, or electricity, AI does the thing that humans do best: think. AI has defeated players at games like chess. It can create art and music. Its even allowed grieving people to feel as though they were talking with dead loved ones. It's also put innocent people in jail, manipulated the emotions of social media users, and tricked people into believing untrue things. Martha Brockenbrough guides readers through the development of this technology, exploring how AI has touched every corner of our world. This is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand how AI got here, how to make the best use of it, and how we can expect it to transform our lives.