Introduction & Foundations

AI is now everywhere, but the basics are often skipped. What does artificial intelligence actually mean? How did we get from 1950s research labs to ChatGPT? Is a machine that sounds intelligent actually intelligent? You don't need a technical background to engage with these questions, but getting them right makes a real difference - for how you evaluate AI products, how you interpret what you read, and how you hold your own in conversations about what this technology can and can't do. The goal is a clear-eyed framework for thinking about AI, one that cuts through the hype and gives you the vocabulary and mental models to navigate a fast-moving landscape with confidence rather than confusion.