Beginners AI
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I know there are a few programmers here that are interested in AI. I'm clueless on the topic, but want to change that. Are there any good "beginners" books anyone can recommend, or some good websites? They don't have to be strictly programming related, in fact I'd prefer it if they weren't. I'm looking for concepts at this point rather than algorithms and in depth theory. Thanks. BW
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
-- Steven WrightAI Game Programming Wisdom[^] and its successor (AI Game Programming 2). They're not the cheapest and some of the topics are past beginner's level. But I've found that the explanations are good, plus you get some code to play around with as well. I'll admit that I did do Games Programming at University (minimax, alpha-beta pruning, killer heuristic, etc., etc.) and I've read articles about the subject since then, but I can hardly be said to be current and the books did teach me something and I followed (almost) all the explanations. Just noticed that number 3 in the series is out - must make a trip to Borders! Graham
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I know there are a few programmers here that are interested in AI. I'm clueless on the topic, but want to change that. Are there any good "beginners" books anyone can recommend, or some good websites? They don't have to be strictly programming related, in fact I'd prefer it if they weren't. I'm looking for concepts at this point rather than algorithms and in depth theory. Thanks. BW
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
-- Steven Wrightbrianwelsch wrote:
I'm looking for concepts at this point rather than algorithms and in depth theory.
William Gibson's Neuromancer, Count Zero, and his other books. :) Marc Pensieve Some people believe what the bible says. Literally. At least [with Wikipedia] you have the chance to correct the wiki -- Jörgen Sigvardsson
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brianwelsch wrote:
I'm looking for concepts at this point rather than algorithms and in depth theory.
William Gibson's Neuromancer, Count Zero, and his other books. :) Marc Pensieve Some people believe what the bible says. Literally. At least [with Wikipedia] you have the chance to correct the wiki -- Jörgen Sigvardsson
:rolleyes: Thanks, Marc. Anything less fictional? BW
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
-- Steven Wright -
AI Game Programming Wisdom[^] and its successor (AI Game Programming 2). They're not the cheapest and some of the topics are past beginner's level. But I've found that the explanations are good, plus you get some code to play around with as well. I'll admit that I did do Games Programming at University (minimax, alpha-beta pruning, killer heuristic, etc., etc.) and I've read articles about the subject since then, but I can hardly be said to be current and the books did teach me something and I followed (almost) all the explanations. Just noticed that number 3 in the series is out - must make a trip to Borders! Graham
Graham Shanks wrote:
Just noticed that number 3 in the series is out - must make a trip to Borders!
ooooo really? time to write out another POR!! (purchase order request) I have the first at home, we bought both at work, so I guess I need the 3rd now too. :) _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
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:rolleyes: Thanks, Marc. Anything less fictional? BW
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
-- Steven Wrightbrianwelsch wrote:
Anything less fictional?
Actually, when I forayed into AI, I picked up my girlfriend's college textbook on neuroscience. Very neato stuff, and I ended up writing an interesting neuron simulator. But this was in the days of DOS and VGA graphics. Marc Pensieve Some people believe what the bible says. Literally. At least [with Wikipedia] you have the chance to correct the wiki -- Jörgen Sigvardsson
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I know there are a few programmers here that are interested in AI. I'm clueless on the topic, but want to change that. Are there any good "beginners" books anyone can recommend, or some good websites? They don't have to be strictly programming related, in fact I'd prefer it if they weren't. I'm looking for concepts at this point rather than algorithms and in depth theory. Thanks. BW
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
-- Steven Wrightbrianwelsch wrote:
I'm looking for concepts at this point rather than algorithms and in depth theory.
I would start on the net if I were you, save the books for which areas are of interest to you. You can spend your whole life (and some do, or lack thereof) dedicated to a subportion therein. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Artificial_intelligence[^] State Engines -> Fuzzy Logic -> Neural Nets -> Hybrid Fuzzy sets State Engines are where we all started from, and many programming systems still are. You are either at a state, or not, you have an integer value or a floating point value, etc. The goal of a state engine is to define the operative states such that from beginning to end you define enough to get through operations. The good news is that state engines, being finite states, are easily repetative. The bad news is they cannot evaluate new inputs or partial states. A state engine declares you are in a room or not, but if you stand in the doorway, how is it defined? Fuzzy logic can evaluate partial states and more. :) The advantage from starting at state-engine defined logic is that it leads directly into Fuzzy Logic intuitively, Neural Nets and hybrid/adaptive/learning systems come as you learn more.... Now see what you did by getting me started talking?? :rolleyes: Good luck! _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
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I know there are a few programmers here that are interested in AI. I'm clueless on the topic, but want to change that. Are there any good "beginners" books anyone can recommend, or some good websites? They don't have to be strictly programming related, in fact I'd prefer it if they weren't. I'm looking for concepts at this point rather than algorithms and in depth theory. Thanks. BW
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
-- Steven WrightBrian, AI (like "medicine") is a very wide field encompassing pattern recognition, inference, heuristics, common sense knowledge, learning from experience to name a few. All these terms are taken from here[^]. My academic and professional background is in expert systems[^] so I'm partial to that area, and more recently common sense knowledge (see this[^] link for a nice intro). The April '85 issue of Byte Magazine[^] (now extinct) that focused on AI changed my life. Another book that impacted me greatly was Buchanan & Shortliffe's book on reasoning, specifically the chapters devoted to Mycin[^]. Both good reads, as are also introductory materials by Patrick Henry Winston[^], John McCarthy[^] and Marvin Minsky[^]. Hope this helps! /ravi My new year's resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Music |
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Graham Shanks wrote:
Just noticed that number 3 in the series is out - must make a trip to Borders!
ooooo really? time to write out another POR!! (purchase order request) I have the first at home, we bought both at work, so I guess I need the 3rd now too. :) _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
According to Amazon[^] its been out since March 9. The pain is that I'm in the UK - US price from Amazon is $44.07, while UK price from Amazon.co.uk is £44.60 (about $74). I was in Alabama last week (the first of my biannual trips to the US) but the book store didn't have it (and I didn't realise that it was out yet). I hate the fact that computer books in particular are so much more expensive in the UK than in the US :mad: I guess that it is worth ordering from amazon.com and paying the international shipping (about $10) - after a bit more searching from other on-line retailers Graham
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Brian, AI (like "medicine") is a very wide field encompassing pattern recognition, inference, heuristics, common sense knowledge, learning from experience to name a few. All these terms are taken from here[^]. My academic and professional background is in expert systems[^] so I'm partial to that area, and more recently common sense knowledge (see this[^] link for a nice intro). The April '85 issue of Byte Magazine[^] (now extinct) that focused on AI changed my life. Another book that impacted me greatly was Buchanan & Shortliffe's book on reasoning, specifically the chapters devoted to Mycin[^]. Both good reads, as are also introductory materials by Patrick Henry Winston[^], John McCarthy[^] and Marvin Minsky[^]. Hope this helps! /ravi My new year's resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Music |
Great! Thanks for the links. Learning from experience right now is the most intriguing to me, but that might be because I've started reading A User's Guide to the Brain[^], which initially deals with the development of neurons and perception. I also have How the Mind Works[^]. The opening of which discusses some issues with robots sensing their environment. BW
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
-- Steven Wright -
I know there are a few programmers here that are interested in AI. I'm clueless on the topic, but want to change that. Are there any good "beginners" books anyone can recommend, or some good websites? They don't have to be strictly programming related, in fact I'd prefer it if they weren't. I'm looking for concepts at this point rather than algorithms and in depth theory. Thanks. BW
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
-- Steven WrightTry Gamedev. It's always the first place I turn to for maths/physics/AI related subjects. There are a huge list of articles to wet your feet! http://www.gamedev.net/reference/list.asp?categoryid=18[^] Graham
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brianwelsch wrote:
I'm looking for concepts at this point rather than algorithms and in depth theory.
I would start on the net if I were you, save the books for which areas are of interest to you. You can spend your whole life (and some do, or lack thereof) dedicated to a subportion therein. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Artificial_intelligence[^] State Engines -> Fuzzy Logic -> Neural Nets -> Hybrid Fuzzy sets State Engines are where we all started from, and many programming systems still are. You are either at a state, or not, you have an integer value or a floating point value, etc. The goal of a state engine is to define the operative states such that from beginning to end you define enough to get through operations. The good news is that state engines, being finite states, are easily repetative. The bad news is they cannot evaluate new inputs or partial states. A state engine declares you are in a room or not, but if you stand in the doorway, how is it defined? Fuzzy logic can evaluate partial states and more. :) The advantage from starting at state-engine defined logic is that it leads directly into Fuzzy Logic intuitively, Neural Nets and hybrid/adaptive/learning systems come as you learn more.... Now see what you did by getting me started talking?? :rolleyes: Good luck! _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
Jeffry J. Brickley wrote:
The advantage from starting at state-engine defined logic is that it leads directly into Fuzzy Logic intuitively, Neural Nets and hybrid/adaptive/learning systems come as you learn more....
I'll keep that mind, so as not to get ahead of myself and stop in a haze of confusion. :) Thanks for the link. BW
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
-- Steven Wright -
A brief (and free introduction) here I've found it's always helpful to start at Wikipedia, you never know where things end up. Maybe not what you wanted but probably worth a look. Ed
Ed.Poore wrote:
I've found it's always helpful to start at Wikipedia, you never know where things end up
Good point, thanks. BW
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
-- Steven Wright -
Try Gamedev. It's always the first place I turn to for maths/physics/AI related subjects. There are a huge list of articles to wet your feet! http://www.gamedev.net/reference/list.asp?categoryid=18[^] Graham
:cool: thanks. BW
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
-- Steven Wright -
brianwelsch wrote:
Anything less fictional?
Actually, when I forayed into AI, I picked up my girlfriend's college textbook on neuroscience. Very neato stuff, and I ended up writing an interesting neuron simulator. But this was in the days of DOS and VGA graphics. Marc Pensieve Some people believe what the bible says. Literally. At least [with Wikipedia] you have the chance to correct the wiki -- Jörgen Sigvardsson
I started reading up on some basics of how the brain develops and how neurons form connections while learning new tasks, etc. Pretty neat. It helps understand why repetition increases long-term recollection. Those Gibson books actually sound like I might enjoy them too. I'll toss them onto my lengthening wish list at Amazon. BW
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
-- Steven Wright -
According to Amazon[^] its been out since March 9. The pain is that I'm in the UK - US price from Amazon is $44.07, while UK price from Amazon.co.uk is £44.60 (about $74). I was in Alabama last week (the first of my biannual trips to the US) but the book store didn't have it (and I didn't realise that it was out yet). I hate the fact that computer books in particular are so much more expensive in the UK than in the US :mad: I guess that it is worth ordering from amazon.com and paying the international shipping (about $10) - after a bit more searching from other on-line retailers Graham
Graham Shanks wrote:
According to Amazon[^] its been out since March 9.
Oh well, no wonder.... :) I have been swamped since March 6th... It was here during compiles, work, and sleep and not much more. :) _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
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Jeffry J. Brickley wrote:
The advantage from starting at state-engine defined logic is that it leads directly into Fuzzy Logic intuitively, Neural Nets and hybrid/adaptive/learning systems come as you learn more....
I'll keep that mind, so as not to get ahead of myself and stop in a haze of confusion. :) Thanks for the link. BW
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
-- Steven Wrightbrianwelsch wrote:
I'll keep that mind, so as not to get ahead of myself and stop in a haze of confusion. Thanks for the link.
Just write your own Prolog and Lisp compilers, afterwards you will understand a lot more about inter-set dynamics and it will all be crystal clear.... remember what they say about asking an engineer what time it is? he'll tell you how to build a clock.... Well, ask a software engineer how to do something, he'll tell you how to write a compiler that does it for you... :laugh: _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
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I know there are a few programmers here that are interested in AI. I'm clueless on the topic, but want to change that. Are there any good "beginners" books anyone can recommend, or some good websites? They don't have to be strictly programming related, in fact I'd prefer it if they weren't. I'm looking for concepts at this point rather than algorithms and in depth theory. Thanks. BW
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
-- Steven WrightHello Brian, I´m studying computer engineering, and last semester, i studyied AI. The best way for you to understand it, is to read a PROLOG beginers tutorial. Here you have a good one to start with http://www.coli.uni-saarland.de/~kris/learn-prolog-now/html/prolog-notes.pdf[^] if you want to go further, i advise to read this book, it´s a bit old, but very good explaining the concepts, Artificial Intelligence A Modern Approach Stuart J. Russell and Peter Norvig Good luck Nuno -- modified at 19:20 Wednesday 12th April, 2006
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I know there are a few programmers here that are interested in AI. I'm clueless on the topic, but want to change that. Are there any good "beginners" books anyone can recommend, or some good websites? They don't have to be strictly programming related, in fact I'd prefer it if they weren't. I'm looking for concepts at this point rather than algorithms and in depth theory. Thanks. BW
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
-- Steven WrightIf you're interested in delving into the Expert Systems arena (an AI close cousin), try http://www.ghg.net/clips/CLIPS.html Kinda cool.
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I know there are a few programmers here that are interested in AI. I'm clueless on the topic, but want to change that. Are there any good "beginners" books anyone can recommend, or some good websites? They don't have to be strictly programming related, in fact I'd prefer it if they weren't. I'm looking for concepts at this point rather than algorithms and in depth theory. Thanks. BW
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
-- Steven WrightHi, I think you should have a look at Lisp (or Scheme). A good starting point (yet rather steep) is Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs by Abelson, Sussman & Sussman. It's the book used to teach the MIT 6001 course and it provides a good way to start thinking using "the Lisp way". Even if you don't ever program Lisp in real life, "the Lisp way" is becoming more and more influential (I hear C# 2 has closures (implemented by copying stack frames on the heap - I might have heard wrong here) :p, I know STL implements lots of functional stuff, I also know C# and Java are garbage collected etc. ). Another book (haven't read it yet, I mean to order it ASAP) is Peter Norvig's "Paradigms of Artificial Intelligence Programming". Anyway, after SICP, any programming book will read a little different ;) The point with Lisp/Scheme is that you stop worrying about low level implementation so much and have time to explore ideas. The programs won't run as fast, but, hey, in the beginning you'll be learning/prototyping anyway. Just a thought - hope this won't start a flame or anything, it wasn't meant to do that :p Cheers Miron
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Hi, I think you should have a look at Lisp (or Scheme). A good starting point (yet rather steep) is Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs by Abelson, Sussman & Sussman. It's the book used to teach the MIT 6001 course and it provides a good way to start thinking using "the Lisp way". Even if you don't ever program Lisp in real life, "the Lisp way" is becoming more and more influential (I hear C# 2 has closures (implemented by copying stack frames on the heap - I might have heard wrong here) :p, I know STL implements lots of functional stuff, I also know C# and Java are garbage collected etc. ). Another book (haven't read it yet, I mean to order it ASAP) is Peter Norvig's "Paradigms of Artificial Intelligence Programming". Anyway, after SICP, any programming book will read a little different ;) The point with Lisp/Scheme is that you stop worrying about low level implementation so much and have time to explore ideas. The programs won't run as fast, but, hey, in the beginning you'll be learning/prototyping anyway. Just a thought - hope this won't start a flame or anything, it wasn't meant to do that :p Cheers Miron
Well. Maybe I wont recommend you a particular literature, but I want to encourage you to study math for real understanding of AI. AI is very wide area and I am interested in its particular part. So according to what do you expect of AI you should lead particular topics. Since I am not great in math I am still able to do that. You dont need to be math genius, but without it it's almost impossible. Please, dont avoid AI's most powerfull weapon - "math". Math is for everyone and is easy if you dont fear of it. Regards, Michal