Prerequisites: Are You Ready for This Book?
This book assumes no technical background. If you can do the following, you're ready:
Self-Assessment Checklist
Rate yourself honestly on each item:
| Skill | Ready? |
|---|---|
| I use a smartphone, computer, or tablet regularly | ☐ Yes |
| I've used a search engine (Google, Bing, etc.) | ☐ Yes |
| I've heard of ChatGPT, Siri, or Alexa | ☐ Yes |
| I can read a simple chart or graph | ☐ Yes |
| I understand basic percentages (e.g., "70% of respondents") | ☐ Yes |
| I can distinguish between a fact and an opinion | ☐ Yes |
| I'm willing to question claims that sound too good (or too scary) to be true | ☐ Yes |
If you checked all or most boxes: You're ready. Start with Chapter 1.
If you checked fewer than 4: You'll be fine — but consider reviewing basic digital literacy resources first. The book explains everything from the ground up.
What You Don't Need
- No programming experience. Optional Python examples are supplementary.
- No mathematics beyond basic algebra. We use analogies, not equations.
- No computer science background. We explain everything in plain language.
- No prior AI knowledge. That's literally what this book teaches.
What Will Help (But Isn't Required)
- Curiosity. The most important prerequisite is wanting to understand.
- A device with internet access. Some exercises involve interacting with AI systems (ChatGPT, image generators, etc.).
- Willingness to change your mind. Some things you think you know about AI are probably wrong. That's okay — that's what learning looks like.
If You Have a Technical Background
Welcome! You'll find the 🏃 Fast Track annotations in each chapter helpful — they'll tell you which sections you can skim. But you may be surprised by how much the social, ethical, and policy dimensions add to your understanding, even if you already know the technical side.