How to Speak Machine: Computational Thinking for the Rest of Us

A simple, enduring framework for understanding the complex world of AI and machine learning.

“Before you can get machines to do what you want, you’d better learn to speak their language. John Maeda engineers rapprochement between humans and our computational creations in this engaging, enlightening book.”

—Douglas Rushkoff, author of Team Human

As the capabilities of AI and language models like ChatGPT continue to advance, it is more important than ever to understand the implications and potential pitfalls of these technologies.

In this  book, John Maeda draws on his extensive experience as one of the world's preeminent interdisciplinary thinkers on technology and design to provide actionable guidance for businesses, product designers, and policymakers.

Using thoughtful explorations and occasionally whimsical examples, he identifies a framework that describes the key capabilities and pitfalls of any machine learning system, and offers a vision for how they can be used to create inclusive and world-changing products.

This is essential reading for anyone seeking a high-level understanding of how machines “think” and what the future may hold.

John Maeda is an American technologist, designer, engineer, artist, investor, author, and teacher. He is currently VP of design and artificial intelligence at Microsoft. Previously he has held positions with Publicis Sapient, the technology marketing and delivery arm of Publiciis,  Automattic, the parent company of WordPress.com, and the venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins. He also led research at the MIT Media Lab, and served as president of the Rhode Island School of Design. Named as one of the 75 most influential people of the 21st Century by Esquire, Maeda draws on his diverse background as an MIT-trained engineer, award-winning designer, and executive leader to bring people and ideas together at scale. He is the author of several celebrated books, including The Laws of Simplicity and Redesigning Leadership. He has appeared as a speaker all over the world, from Davos to Beijing to São Paulo to New York, and his talks for TED.com have received millions of views. He was born, raised, and lives in the United States of America.