 | |
| Author | Pedro Domingos |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | Artificial intelligence |
| Genre | Philosophy,popular science |
| Publisher | Basic Books |
Publication date | September 22, 2015 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print, e-book, audiobook |
| Pages | 352 pp. |
| ISBN | 978-0465065707 |
The Master Algorithm: How the Quest for the Ultimate Learning Machine Will Remake Our World is a book byPedro Domingos released in 2015. Domingos wrote the book in order to generate interest from people outside the field.
The book outlines five approaches of machine learning:inductive reasoning,connectionism,evolutionary computation,Bayes' theorem andanalogical modelling. The author explains these tribes to the reader by referring to more understandable processes oflogic, connections made in thebrain,natural selection,probability andsimilarity judgments. Throughout the book, it is suggested that each different tribe has the potential to contribute to a unifying "master algorithm".
Towards the end of the book the author pictures a "masteralgorithm" in the near future, wheremachine learning algorithms asymptotically grow to a perfect understanding of how the world and people in it work.[1] Although the algorithm doesn't yet exist, he briefly reviews his own invention of theMarkov logic network.[2]
In 2016Bill Gates recommended the book, alongsideNick Bostrom'sSuperintelligence, as one of two books everyone should read to understand AI.[3] In 2018 the book was noted to be onChinese Communist Partygeneral secretaryXi Jinping's bookshelf.[4]
A computer science educator stated inTimes Higher Education that the examples are clear and accessible.[5] In contrast,The Economist agreed Domingos "does a good job" but complained that he "constantly invents metaphors that grate or confuse".[6]Kirkus Reviews praised the book, stating that "Readers unfamiliar with logic and computer theory will have a difficult time, but those who persist will discover fascinating insights."[7]
ANew Scientist review called it "compelling but rather unquestioning".[8]