Daniel Crevier's AI: The Tumultuous History of the Search for Artificial Intelligence is an extremely well written account of AI (artificial intelligence), mixing history and philosophy. Crevier's solid reputation as a professor and alumnus of MIT does not ride on the success or failure of AI, yet his background as a professor of electrical engineering and his education qualify him to understand the AI jargon when interviewing such AI giants as Minsky, Simon, and Moravac. Crevier's primary intention of bringing to light the celebrated feud between leaders of philosophy and computer science lies in the artful manner of drawing the conclusions that AI has a future and that Dreyfus (not to be completely discounted) has some credibility. The first four chapters aim to give a concise historical account of AI and to trace the growth of AI from the fields of philosophy and mathematics to the field of computer science. Written in an easy narrative style, Crevier covers history from the Roman architect, Vitruvius, to 17th century French and Italian inventions, weaving a delightful historical tapestry colored with anecdotes especially interesting to the liberal arts reader. Of special note is the mention of Descartes' "Francine," a life-like automaton, that was thrown overboard by the ship's captain who was frightened by Francine's life-like movements. The next four chapters deal primarily with the successes and the difficulties which lie ahead for AI in the last decade of this century. Written with clarity, Crevier proceeds through the sixties and tumult of the seventies. His interviews with numerous AI superstars such as Allen Newell, Marvin Minsky, Herbert Simon, and Patrick Winston make this book interesting as well as authoritative. The last section of the work is a futuristic view of AI and the promise it holds for the 21st century. Crevier examines the scientific as well as the philosophical and social aspects of AI, asking the question, "Are we creating the next species of intelligent life on Earth?" (p. 311).
The novice of AI literature will find Crevier's work an enjoyable change from the highly technical works currently published. His technical explanations are scholarly yet readable. His work is extremely interesting, providing a solid historical background of AI research to the reader, continuing in the classic form set by Pamela McCormick's Machines Who Think. This work is an excellent resource for high schools wanting an accurate historical rendition of AI history and would complement any college collection.