AIQ ― How People and Machines Are Smarter Together

"There comes a time in the life of a subject when someone steps up and writes the book about it. AIQ explores the fascinating history of the ideas that drive this technology of the future and demystifies the core concepts behind it; the result is a positive and entertaining look at the great potential unlocked by marrying human creativity with powerful machines." — Steven Levitt, co-author of Freakonomics

From two cutting-edge data scientists comes a fascinating audiobook that tells listeners what they need to know in order to understand how intelligent machines are changing the world and how we can use this knowledge to make better decisions in our own lives.

Dozens of times per day, we all interact with intelligent machines that are constantly learning from the wealth of data now available tothem. These machines, from smart phones to talking robots to self-driving cars, are remaking the world of the 21st century in the same way that the Industrial Revolution remade the world of the 19th century.

AIQ, by Nick Polson and James Scott, is based on a simple premise: if you want to understand the modern world, then you have to know a little bit of the mathematical language spoken by intelligent machines. AIQ will teach listeners that language—but in an unconventional way, anchored in stories rather than mathematics.

Listeners will meet a fascinating cast of historical characters who have a lot to teach about data, probability, and better thinking. Along the way, listeners will see how these same ideas are playing out in the modern age of big data and intelligent machines—and how these technologies will soon help them to overcome some of their built-in cognitive weaknesses, giving them a chance to lead happier, healthier, more fulfilled lives.

NICK POLSON is Professor of Econometrics and Statistics at the Chicago Booth School of Business. He does research on machine intelligence and deep learning, and is a frequent speaker at events. Polson lives in Chicago.

JAMES SCOTT is Associate Professor of Statistics at the University of Texas at Austin. He is a statistician, data scientist, and has worked with clients across many industries to help them understand the power of data. Scott lives in Austin with his wife.