The Road To Conscious Machines by Michael Wooldridge

The Story of AI

A lively, accessible history tracing the development of artificial intelligence from its philosophical and mathematical roots through the achievements and setbacks of twentieth-century pioneers to the recent breakthroughs in machine learning, this book interweaves technical explanation with biographical sketches and intellectual debates. It examines the recurring cycles of hype and ‘‘AI winters,’’ the evolution of core ideas and architectures, and the persistent question of whether and how machines might become conscious, while also addressing the ethical, social, and political ramifications of increasingly capable AI systems. The narrative balances optimism about practical advances with sober discussion of risks and policy choices, making the subject approachable for general readers without sacrificing analytical depth.