This is not a book about how to build AI. It is a book about what leaders must understand before deploying AI.

This comprehensive guide demystifies AI concepts, explores its history, and empowers readers to navigate its impact on business and society. Grounded in clear, non-technical but mathematically correct explanations, the book explores AI from foundational principles to advanced topics including neural networks and machine learning paradigms. Readers will gain a deeper understanding of how AI systems work, their limitations, and practical strategies for leveraging AI responsibly. The book highlights that AI systems are not built by algorithms alone, but by organizations that choose objectives, learning paradigms, data, thresholds, and incentives-choices that sit squarely with leadership. With its expert analysis and real-world advice, the book bridges the gap between technical knowledge and managerial decision-making, equipping leaders to make those choices confidently and correctly.

Ideal for business leaders seeking to understand and apply AI concepts, this book is also a valuable resource for professionals, educators, and students who want to enhance their knowledge of AI's role in shaping the future.

Wolfgang Messner is a Clinical Professor at the Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina. His work focuses on how artificial intelligence methods can be used and governed for business applications.