Can a computer program think like a human?
To answer this question, you first need to understand how modern AI systems work. Then you can apply this knowledge to the philosophical question of whether computer programs can think.
That’s exactly what Thinking AI does. It explains the ideas behind the modern revolution in artificial intelligence, without assuming any background knowledge. Readers gain an understanding of the twin pillars of modern AI: deep neural networks and reinforcement learning. This foundation paves the way for an understanding of AI in practice, including object recognition and large language models.
Armed with these concepts, we can explore what it might mean for a computer program to think, discovering similarities and contrasts with human brain processes. Ultimately, we conclude that it is possible for a computer program to emulate any aspect of human thought—but human life and society nevertheless retain their meaning and purpose.
Princeton University Press · 2026
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