Artificial Intelligence for Absolute Beginners: Understand How AI Works and Start Building Your Own Basic Smart Applications
Paperback
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: Aug 3 2026
Pages: 232
Weight: 0.63
Height: 0.58 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
Have you been hearing about artificial intelligence everywhere but aren't sure what it actually is or how it works?
Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we work, communicate, shop, learn, and solve problems. From virtual assistants and recommendation systems to self-driving cars and intelligent chatbots, AI is becoming part of everyday life. Yet many beginners are discouraged because most books assume technical knowledge or explain AI with complex mathematics and computer science theory.
Artificial Intelligence for Absolute Beginners takes a different approach.
Written in clear, plain English, this practical guide introduces artificial intelligence step by step without requiring a background in programming, mathematics, statistics, or computer science. Every concept is explained using everyday examples, simple illustrations, and hands-on activities that make AI easy to understand.
Instead of focusing on difficult formulas, you'll first learn how intelligent systems think, learn, reason, recognize patterns, and make decisions before building your own beginner-friendly AI projects.
Inside this beginner-friendly guide, you'll learn how to:
- Understand what artificial intelligence really is
- Learn the history and evolution of AI
- Differentiate Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning
- Discover where AI is used in everyday life
- Understand how intelligent systems solve problems
- Learn how machines recognize patterns
- Explore the different branches of AI
- Understand expert systems and knowledge-based systems
- Learn how machine learning fits into AI
- Understand supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning
- Explore neural networks in simple language
- Understand deep learning fundamentals
- Discover computer vision basics
- Learn how facial recognition works
- Understand speech recognition systems
- Explore natural language processing (NLP)
- Learn how chatbots and virtual assistants work
- Understand recommendation systems
- Explore generative AI and large language models
- Learn how AI creates text, images, music, and videos
- Understand robotics and autonomous systems
- Learn how AI is used in healthcare, education, finance, manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, retail, and cybersecurity
Throughout the book, you'll reinforce every topic with practical examples, simple exercises, and beginner-friendly projects that gradually build your confidence. Each chapter focuses on one concept at a time, making it easy to understand even if you've never written a line of code before.
Rather than memorizing technical definitions, you'll learn how AI systems observe data, identify patterns, make predictions, and improve over time. You'll also discover the strengths and limitations of today's AI technologies and understand why human judgment remains essential.
By the end of the book, you will understand the core ideas behind artificial intelligence, recognize how intelligent systems are built, understand the relationship between AI and machine learning, and create simple AI-powered applications using beginner-friendly tools.
Whether you're a student, teacher, entrepreneur, business professional, software beginner, career changer, or simply curious about artificial intelligence, this book provides a solid foundation for understanding one of the world's most important technologies.
Artificial intelligence doesn't have to be confusing.
Learn how intelligent systems work, build your first smart applications, and prepare yourself for the exciting future of AI.
Also from
Haagenrud, Thom
Home Assistant for Beginners: Build a private smart home without relying on the cloud
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
Python APIs for Beginners: Connect Apps, Automate Workflows, and Use Web Data with Simple Code
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
PowerShell for Beginners: Automate Windows Tasks, Files, Reports, and Admin Work
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
Computer Vision for Robotics: Enable robots to see, detect, and respond using OpenCV
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
MATLAB for Engineering Students: Solve Problems, Plot Data, and Build Simple Models
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
Python and MAVSDK: Connecting High-Level Code to Flight Controllers for Precise Control
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
Programming for Career Changers: Learn Coding Skills for Real Jobs, Portfolios, and Interviews
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
PX4 and MAVLink: Integrating Open-Source Flight Control with UAV Communication
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
SQL for Beginners: Query, Filter, Join, and Analyze Data for Real-World Work
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
Python for Raspberry Pi Beginners: Build Useful Automation, Sensor, and Home Projects
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
Tasmota Firmware Flashing: Unlocking the full potential of Tuya and Sonoff smart plugs
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
REST API Security Protecting Data in Transit: Secure REST APIs with authentication and encryption
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
JavaScript for Practical Web Projects: Build Interactive Pages Without Getting Lost
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
APIs and Webhooks for Beginners: Connect Apps, Automate Tasks, and Build Useful Integrations
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
UAV Programming with Python: A Developer's Guide to MAVLink Communication, PX4 Integration, and Onboard Scripting
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
Git and GitHub for Beginner Programmers: Track Code, Fix Mistakes, and Publish Projects
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
Coding for Non-Programmers: Master Python Fundamentals in 14 Days Without Getting Overwhelmed by Technical Jargon
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
Java for Android Beginners: Build Simple Mobile Apps with Real-World Features
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
Java for Beginners Through Projects: Learn Coding by Building Practical Applications
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
No-Fluff Coding Logic for Beginners: Learn Variables, Loops, Functions, and Problem Solving
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
Coding Projects for Absolute Beginners: 25 Simple Apps to Build Confidence in Any Language
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
OpenHAB Implementation: Integrating diverse smart devices into a single open-source interface
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
UAV Mission Planning: Strategies for Autonomous Mapping, Surveillance, and Inspection
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
ROS for Drone Development: A Practical Introduction to Building Autonomous UAVs with ROS, MAVLink, and Gazebo Simulation
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
Zigbee Network Optimization: Designing robust mesh networks for reliable device communication
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
WLED Lighting Control: Creating synchronized LED effects and ambiance with ESP8266
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
Linux Kernel Programming Essentials: A Practical Guide to Kernel Internals, Modules, Drivers, Memory, and System Development
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
Introduction to Vulnerability Assessment: Understanding Security Weaknesses, Risk Evaluation, Scanning, and Remediation
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
Working with Relational Data: An Introduction to Tables, Relationships, Queries, Data Integrity, and Database Applications
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
Data Structures for Beginners: Learn Arrays, Lists, Stacks, Queues, Trees, and Graphs Simply
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
Machine Learning Made Easy: A Plain-English Introduction to How Intelligent Algorithms Learn and Make Predictions
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
Lua for Game Scripting Beginners: Create Simple Game Logic, Mods, and Automation Scripts
Haagenrud, Thom
Paperback
Also in
General Computers
All Data Are Local: Thinking Critically in a Data-Driven Society
Loukissas, Yanni Alexander
Paperback
Comptia Network+ Certmike: Prepare. Practice. Pass the Test! Get Certified!: Exam N10-008
Chapple, Mike
Zacker, Craig
Paperback
Interactive Theorem Proving and Program Development: Coq'art: The Calculus of Inductive Constructions
Bertot, Yves
Castéran, Pierre
Hardcover
R for Data Science: Import, Tidy, Transform, Visualize, and Model Data
Grolemund, Garrett
Wickham, Hadley
Paperback
The Reverse Centaur's Guide to Life After AI: How to Think about Artificial Intelligence--Before It's Too Late
Doctorow, Cory
Paperback
Designing Data-Intensive Applications: The Big Ideas Behind Reliable, Scalable, and Maintainable Systems
Kleppmann, Martin
Riccomini, Chris
Paperback
The Agi Chronicles: The Inside Story of the Race to Create an Artificial Superintelligence
Roose, Kevin
Hardcover
If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies: Why Superhuman AI Would Kill Us All
Yudkowsky, Eliezer
Soares, Nate
Hardcover
AI for Good: How Real People Are Using Artificial Intelligence to Fix Things That Matter
Tyrangiel, Josh
Hardcover
The Year in Tech, 2027: The Insights You Need from Harvard Business Review
Review, Harvard Business
Davenport, Thomas H.
Chamorro-Premuzic, Tomas
Paperback
Human Raised: Nurturing Connection, Curiosity & Lifelong Learning in the Age of AI
Suskind, Dana, MD
Hardcover
The Year in Tech, 2026: The Insights You Need from Harvard Business Review
Review, Harvard Business
Anthony, Scott D.
Webb, Amy
Paperback
The Eureka Machine: Why AI Is the Key to Unlocking a New Era of Scientific Discoveries
Socher, Richard
Hardcover
Hbr's 10 Must Reads on AI (with Bonus Article How to Win with Machine Learning by Ajay Agrawal, Joshua Gans, and AVI Goldfarb)
Davenport, Thomas H.
Review, Harvard Business
Iansiti, Marco
Paperback
The AI Con: How to Fight Big Tech's Hype and Create the Future We Want
Bender, Emily M.
Hanna, Alex
Hardcover
Fans First: Change The Game, Break the Rules & Create an Unforgettable Experience
Cole, Jesse
Paperback
CompTIA Network+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Ninth Edition (Exam N10-009)
Weissman, Jonathan S.
Paperback
A Giant Leap: How AI Is Transforming Healthcare and What That Means for Our Future
Wachter, Robert
Hardcover
Generative Ai: The Insights You Need from Harvard Business Review
Mollick, Ethan
Cremer, David De
Review, Harvard Business
Paperback
AI Literacy in Any Class: Preparing Students to Thrive in an AI Future in Any Grade Level or Content Area
Miller, Matt
Paperback
Fundamentals of Data Engineering: Plan and Build Robust Data Systems
Reis, Joe
Housley, Matt
Paperback
Atlas of AI: Power, Politics, and the Planetary Costs of Artificial Intelligence
Crawford, Kate
Paperback
Obsolete: The AI Industry's Trillion Dollar Race to Replace Us--And How to Stop It
Lovely, Garrison
Paperback
Minecraft: Guide Collection 4-Book Boxed Set (Updated): Survival (Updated), Creative (Updated), Redstone (Updated), Combat
Mojang Ab
The Official Minecraft Team
Hardcover
AI Snake Oil: What Artificial Intelligence Can Do, What It Can't, and How to Tell the Difference
Kapoor, Sayash
Narayanan, Arvind
Paperback
Python Crash Course, 3rd Edition: A Hands-On, Project-Based Introduction to Programming
Matthes, Eric
Paperback
Love Machines: How Artificial Intelligence Is Transforming Our Relationships
Muldoon, James
Hardcover
The Black Swan: Second Edition: The Impact of the Highly Improbable: With a New Section: On Robustness and Fragility
Taleb, Nassim Nicholas
Paperback
The Thinking Machine: Jensen Huang, Nvidia, and the World's Most Coveted Microchip
Witt, Stephen
Hardcover
We Are as Gods: A Survival Guide for the Age of Abundance
Kotler, Steven
Diamandis, Peter H.
Hardcover
Hands-On Machine Learning with Scikit-Learn and Pytorch: Concepts, Tools, and Techniques to Build Intelligent Systems
Géron, Aurélien
Paperback
AI with Intention: Principles and Action Steps for Teachers and School Leaders
Frontier, Tony
Paperback
Embedded Systems with ARM Cortex-M Microcontrollers in Assembly Language and C: Fourth Edition
Zhu, Yifeng
Paperback
Human + Machine, Updated and Expanded: Reimagining Work in the Age of AI
Wilson, H. James
Daugherty, Paul R.
Hardcover
Artificial Intelligence: A Guide for Thinking Humans (with a New Preface)
Mitchell, Melanie
Paperback
Hands-On Large Language Models: Language Understanding and Generation
Grootendorst, Maarten
Alammar, Jay
Paperback
AP Computer Science Principles Premium, 2027: 6 Practice Tests + Comprehensive Review + Online Practice
Reichelson, Seth
Paperback
CompTIA Tech+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Third Edition (Exam FC0-U71)
Wempen, Faithe
Paperback
AP Computer Science a Premium, 13th Edition: Prep Book with 6 Practice Tests + Comprehensive Review + Online Practice (2026)
Teukolsky, Roselyn, M. S.
Carman, Chris
Paperback
The Empty Center: Permission, Connection, and What We Build When the Future is Uncertain
Drumwright, Hayes
Hardcover
Power and Prediction: The Disruptive Economics of Artificial Intelligence
Goldfarb, Avi
Agrawal, Ajay
Gans, Joshua
Hardcover
Fundamentals of Software Architecture: A Modern Engineering Approach
Ford, Neal
Richards, Mark
Paperback
An Illustrated Guide to AI Agents: Concepts and Code for Building Agents with Llms, Tools, and Memory
Alammar, Jay
Grootendorst, Maarten
Paperback
Tubes: A Journey to the Center of the Internet with a New Introduction by the Author
Blum, Andrew
Paperback
AI Projects with Raspberry Pi: High-Performance Artificial Intelligence for Robotics, Security, Home Automation, and Vision
Jepson, Brian
Hattersley, Lucy
Paperback
Minecraft: Exploded Builds: Medieval Fortress: An Official Mojang Book
Mojang Ab
The Official Minecraft Team
Paperback
The Empty Center: Permission, Connection, and What We Build When the Future is Uncertain
Drumwright, Hayes
Paperback
You Look Like a Thing and I Love You: How Artificial Intelligence Works and Why It's Making the World a Weirder Place
Shane, Janelle
Paperback
The Coming Wave: Technology, Power, and the Twenty-First Century's Greatest Dilemma
Suleyman, Mustafa
Hardcover
The Problem with Personalization: How Advertisers Learned to Make and Break Us from Ancient Times to the AI Age
Turow, Joseph
Hardcover
RHCSA Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10: Training and Exam Preparation Guide (EX200), Fourth Edition
Ghori, Asghar
Paperback
AI Snake Oil: What Artificial Intelligence Can Do, What It Can't, and How to Tell the Difference
Narayanan, Arvind
Kapoor, Sayash
Hardcover
Minecraft: Roll for Adventure: The Temple of the Charged Creeper
Forbeck, Matt
Forbeck, Marty
Hardcover
The Devops Handbook, 2nd Edition: How to Create World-Class Agility, Reliability, & Security in Technology Organizations
Kim, Gene
Humble, Jez
Debois, Patrick
Paperback
The Return on AI: From Promise to Profit in the Age of Intelligent Business
Sawhney, Mohanbir
Mittal, Ashwin
Paperback
Graphic Artists Guild Handbook, 17th Edition: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines
The Graphic Artists Guild
Paperback
The Death of Expertise: The Campaign Against Established Knowledge and Why It Matters
Nichols, Tom
Paperback
Artificial Intelligence All-In-One for Dummies
Massaron, Luca
Minnick, Chris
Mueller, John Paul
Paperback
Designing Machine Learning Systems: An Iterative Process for Production-Ready Applications
Huyen, Chip
Paperback
You to the Power of Two: Redefining Human Potential in the Age of Identic AI
Bradley, Joseph
Tapscott, Don
Hardcover
AI for Educators: Learning Strategies, Teacher Efficiencies, and a Vision for an Artificial Intelligence Future
Miller, Matt
Paperback
The Experimentation Machine: Finding Product-Market Fit in the Age of AI
Bussgang, Jeffrey J.
Hardcover
More Human: How the Power of AI Can Transform the Way You Lead
Hougaard, Rasmus
Carter, Jacqueline
Hardcover
Hbr's 10 Must Reads on Artificial Intelligence, Updated and Expanded (Featuring How AI Can Help Managers Think Through Problems by Elisa Farri and Gab
Agrawal, Ajay
Review, Harvard Business
Davenport, Thomas H.
Paperback
Guilty Pleasure: The Pornification of the Internet, the Economy, and Everything Else
Nilsson, Patricia
Hardcover
Building Applications with AI Agents: Designing and Implementing Multiagent Systems
Albada, Michael
Paperback
Navigeren door het labyrint: Een handleiding voor het beheer van data
Sebastian-Coleman, Laura
Paperback
The AI Ultimatum: Preparing for a World of Intelligent Machines and Radical Transformation
Hill, Paul
Brown, Steve
Paperback
The Fourth Intelligence Revolution: The Future of Espionage and the Battle to Save America
Vinci, Anthony
Hardcover
Microsoft 365 Excel All-In-One for Dummies
Ringstrom, David H.
Alexander, Michael
Kusleika, Dick
Paperback
What Is Intelligence?: Lessons from AI about Evolution, Computing, and Minds
Aguera Y. Arcas, Blaise
Paperback
The Technological Republic: Hard Power, Soft Belief, and the Future of the West
Zamiska, Nicholas W.
Karp, Alexander C.
Hardcover
Comptia A+ Complete Study Guide, 2-Volume Set: Volume 1 Core 1 Exam 220-1201 and Volume 2 Core 2 Exam 220-1202
Buhagiar, Jon
Docter, Quentin
Paperback
R for Data Science: Import, Tidy, Transform, Visualize, and Model Data
Cetinkaya-Rundel, Mine
Wickham, Hadley
Grolemund, Garrett
Paperback
