Artificial Intelligence
A Modern Approach
by Stuart J. Russell, Peter Norvig · first published 1994
44% recommend52% neutral4% critical
Why HN recommends it
Standard intro AI textbook that doubles as a reference, covering algorithmic and foundational topics like rationality and search. Suits undergrads and self-learners wanting a broad base before specializing.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
A comprehensive, up-to-date introduction to the theory and practice of artificial intelligence.
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Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
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Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach by Stuart Russell and Peter Norvig. Not really a programming book though.
on “Which programming book you just couldn’t stop reading from start to end?” ↗Though it is an academic book, Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach by Stuart Russell and Peter Norvig. The first chapter in the book provides a detailed analysis of how other disciplines contribute to the idea of AI - from Philosophy to Psychology,…
on “Ask HN: Best books on AI?” ↗http://aima.cs.berkeley.edu/ is pretty good Stuart J. Russell and Peter Norvig, 2002. Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach, 2nd edition, Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0137903952.
on “Ask HN: Machine Learning? Where to start?” ↗…the Norvig text[2] as a textbook, which I also recommend. [1]http://ai.berkeley.edu/project_overview.html. See the "Lectures" link at the top for all the course videos/slides. [2]http://www.amazon.com/Artificial-Intelligence-Modern-Approac... Note that the poor reviews center on the price, the digital/Kindle edition and the fact that the new editions don't differ greatly from the older ones. If you've never read it and you…
on “Video games are essential for inventing artificial intelligence” ↗…repository of programming problems, which is a great low-pressure area to build some top-notch skill in algorithms. You'll want to get into TopCoder as well. For a slightly different taste, pick up Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach, by Stuart Russell and Peter Norvig, also known as AIMA or the Green Book. Its discussion of search algorithms is unrivaled. Good luck!
on “Question: What are the best books on algorithms?” ↗…thorough not just in its coverage of the Linux kernel, but also architecture and OS design in general The Design and Implementation of FBSD book now covers 5.3, which is much less dated than the 4.4 text. Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach is one of my favorite CS books and covers AI topics with surprising clarity. The Design of Everyday Things Linkers & Loaders, I'd hesitate to call this a bible of any sort, but it's…
on “ASK HN: Hacker Bibles” ↗…basic algorithms here and look up the wiki pages for even more examples: http://www.stanford.edu/~msirota/soco/blind.html (The introduction has some term definitions.) Edit: Also, the obligatory plug for Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach http://www.amazon.com/Artificial-Intelligence-Modern-Approac...
on “Scribd says: Beat our programmers at a coding challenge” ↗I used this book for a Game AI class and the examples were easy to consume with a good focus on using the methods in real games: http://www.amazon.com/Artificial-Intelligence-Games-Ian-Mill... A little pricey, but my favorite intro book for this subject.
on “Ask HN: Where to start on creating AI for games?” ↗Peter Norvig's Artificial Intelligence: http://www.amazon.com/Artificial-Intelligence-Modern-Approac... Has plenty of examples in Python. You can also look at different Udacity courses. They have a couple dealing with ML with Python.
on “Ask HN: What is the best way to learn Machine Learning in Python?” ↗Artificial Intelligence: Case Studies in Common Lisp, Peter Norvig. It is also a really good book on programming in general.
on “Ask HN: Best books on AI” ↗Would you enjoy something that gives a broad overview? Norvig's AI book https://www.amazon.com/Artificial-Intelligence-Modern-Approa... should give you a very broad perspective of the entire field. There will be many course websites with lecture material and lectures to go along with it that you may find useful. The…
on “Ask HN: What AI courses/material should I choose?” ↗…and Vazirani is my choice for “fundamental” book. But I decided to * “Computer Architecture: a Quantitative Approach”, by Hennessy and Patterson. * “Modern Operating Systems”, by Andrew Tanenbaum. * “Artificial Intelligence: a Modern Approach”, by Russel and Norvig. * “Modern Compiler Implementation (in ML)”, by Andrew Appel. I would like to also recommend “Concrete Mathematics”, by Graham, Knuth and Patashnik, but I remember…
on “Ask HN: What are the most fundamental books on computer science?” ↗…Thucydides’s Trap? - The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - The Dictator's Handbook: Why Bad Behavior is Almost Always Good Politics - The Scout Mindset: Why Some People See Things Clearly and Others Don't - Artificial Intelligence: A Guide for Thinking Humans - Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage - Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World - Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad…
on “Ask HN: What book changed your life?” ↗Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach is a great read!
on “Ask HN: What's the best computer science book you've read recently?” ↗This is the leading book on AI: http://www.amazon.com/Artificial-Intelligence-Modern-Approac...
on “Peter Norvig's review of SICP” ↗