Smart Machines: How AI is Changing Our World

by Helaine Becker, Pui Yan Fong (Illustrator)

Overview

Did you ask Siri for directions to soccer practice today or use face recognition to log on to your phone? That’s AI.

The latest generation of tech tools uses artificial intelligence to perform everyday tasks. AI can speed up repetitive jobs and even be used in software to help with medical diagnoses. But when the intellectual property of writers, actors and artists is uploaded into AI systems and used without permission, AI can cause harm. In Smart Machines, young readers will look at the history of AI, how it works, how it’s used for good and bad and the ethical issues it raises. They’ll also discover how the risks of AI can be managed through responsible design, regulation and in the individual choices people make about which tools to use or those to avoid. AI isn’t intelligent, but it’s a tool that is revolutionizing robotics and computer programming—and it could change humanity forever.

The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781459841550
Publisher:	Orca Book Publishers
Publication date:	10/14/2025
Series:	Orca Think , #19
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	96
File size:	40 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Helaine Becker is the award-winning author of more than 100 books for children, both nonfiction and fiction. She is the two-time winner of the Lane Anderson Award for science writing for children, as well as the Youth Book Award (Science Writers&Communicators of Canada (SWCC)) and the Libris Award for Picture Book of the Year Award (Canadian Booksellers Association). Two of her numerous math- and science-related books focus specifically on technology and robotics: Zoobots: Wild Robots Inspired by Real Animals and Hubots: Real-World Robots Inspired by Humans. Helaine’s books have been translated into 14 languages, and she is a frequent speaker at schools, universities and conferences. The very first novel she wrote (and stuffed deep into a drawer, never to be seen again) was called Robot Girl and was about an AI clone of a teen prodigy.

Pui Yan Fong is an illustrator from Toronto. As an avid sports fan, her artwork is primarily focused on sports and editorial illustration. Her work has appeared in numerous publications and was featured in American Illustration and The Society of Illustrators. Some of her notable clients include Jordan Brand and MLSE. She enjoys reading and coming up with conceptual imagery. When she is not reading or drawing, she spends her time gaming.

Helaine Becker is the award-winning author of more than 100 books for children, both nonfiction and fiction. She is the two-time winner of the Lane Anderson Award for science writing for children, as well as the Youth Book Award (Science Writers&Communicators of Canada (SWCC)) and the Libris Award for Picture Book of the Year Award (Canadian Booksellers Association). Two of her numerous math- and science-related books focus specifically on technology and robotics: Zoobots: Wild Robots Inspired by Real Animals and Hubots: Real-World Robots Inspired by Humans. Helaine’s books have been translated into 14 languages, and she is a frequent speaker at schools, universities and conferences.

Pui Yan Fong is a Toronto-based illustrator. Originally from Hong Kong, she grew up in Toronto and studied illustration at Ringling College of Art and Design. She spends most of the day on her laptop, working on illustrations, reading or gaming. She is also a huge sports fan.