Smart Machines (Click, Connect, Compute) - Softcover

Balasubramaniam, Dr Dharini

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1526327945 ISBN 13: 9781526327949

Publisher: Wayland, 2025

Synopsis

Smart machine fundamentals, using clear, expert explanations and comic illustrations to spark interest and enthusiasm in the next generation of computer scientists!

Click, Connect, Compute: Smart Machines uncovers how machine that can learn are created and how they operate. Readers will discover the meaning of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the benefits of teamwork in tech, and the role that the 'Internet of Things' plays in helping homes, hospitals and cities run. And the end of the book fast-forwards to the future of computer science, robotics and AI and considers what it might mean to live in a 'smarter' world.

The Click, Connect, Compute series untangles the computer science web and teaches children about the essentials of computer software, hardware and digital literacy as well as discussing the ethics surrounding this evolving field. Featuring fun, friendly comic strip illustrations, pioneer bios and a quiz, this is a perfect read for children aged 8+.

Written in a clear, thoughtful way by computer science expert, Dr. Dharini Balasubramaniam, a strong advocate for ethics and education in her field.

Contents: What are smart machines? / Smart machine fundamentals / Putting together a smart machine / What's AI got to do with it? / Data's part to play / The Internet of Things (IoT) / Making smart spaces / Are robots smart? / The rise of smart machines / Just how smart are smart machines? / The rights and wrongs of using smart machines / The future of smart machines / Pioneer portraits / Further information / Glossary / Quiz yourself! / Index

Books in the series: Computer Science Essentials / Data, Big and Small / Smart Machines / The Languages of Programming

About this title

About the Authors

Dr. Dharini Balasubramaniam is a Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at the University of St Andrews in the UK. She briefly worked in software industry before turning to academia. She has taught Computer Science from first year to Masters level for a number of years. Her research interests are diverse, and include software systems, ethics in Computer Science, digital literacy and Computer Science education. She is particularly passionate about promoting Computer Science to school pupils as an exciting and accessible subject with wide-ranging career options. She enjoys reading, wildlife photography and long walks.

Luke Séguin-Magee illustrates children's books and his own comics. He likes to wear a straw hat in the summer, pretend he can make music on his Cavaquinho, entertain his four kids and wife, chop wood, drink espresso and ride his bike. Luke hails from Canada and resides in Stockholm.

Edition details

• Publisher: Wayland
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1526327945
• ISBN 13: 9781526327949
• Binding: Paperback
• Illustrator: Séguin-Magee Luke
• Number of pages: 32