Melissa Peneycad brings over two decades of leadership experience from organizations in the private and non-profit sectors across Canada and the United States. Throughout her career, she has worked with clients and partners worldwide, helping them achieve their goals by strategically applying industry best practices and the latest innovations. Her professional journey spans industries such as education, energy, healthcare, infrastructure, real estate, government, and regulation, providing her with a unique perspective on how technology and modern innovations can be tailored to meet the specific needs of different sectors. Melissa holds a bachelor's degree in business focusing on management, information technology, and marketing, a master's degree in environmental studies, and a graduate diploma in business and the environment. She is passionate about exploring a wide range of subjects, including business, science, travel, food, and technology, and is committed to lifelong learning. As the founder of Clover Lane Publishing, Melissa focuses on making complex topics accessible to a broad audience. Over the years, she has taught hundreds of professionals and graduate students across North America and Europe, sharing her expertise and insights. When not working, Melissa enjoys traveling, art, history, and hiking. She lives in Halifax with her husband, two cats, and a dog.
""This is a strongly substantive book, covering everything from AI fundamentals and practical applications to hands-on technical learning emphasizing coding and the use of generative AI tools. From ethics and governance to creativity, lifelong learning, and AI careers, this book has it all. Essentials? For beginners? Yes, to both!"" - DAVID REYNOLDS ""How can making a tomato and cheese sandwich, baking a cake, tying my shoes, or deciding whether to go outside to garden teach me about AI? That's how Peneycad does it. She creates analogies, offers many practical examples, and simplifies the topic. This book was a pleasure to read. It was fast-paced yet comprehensive."" - EDWARD WEDLER ""You can't begin to understand how much this has helped me as a student going into the IT world, especially with the section on career pathways."" - ZOE K. ""A must-have book in anyone's library."" - BARB W. ""Masterfully captures the essentials of AI. The future is exciting, and this book is a fantastic introduction to this significant topic!"" - DAMIAN ALI ""This book stands out with very well-curated content that goes beyond the basics, offering an in-depth yet accessible exploration I have not found in other resources. The explanations are thorough without overwhelming beginners, making it perfect for anyone seeking a comprehensive, approachable guide. Highly recommended!"" - NEGIN FICZKOWSKI ""A cracking guide for anyone curious about AI but put off by the usual technobabble. Melissa has this brilliant knack for stripping down complex concepts, like machine learning and neural networks, into something even a layperson could wrap their head around. It's rich with practical examples that ground the theory and hands-on exercises that genuinely bridge the gap between reading and actually using AI. She doesn't shy away from the tough stuff either, digging into ethical concerns and highlighting AI's current limits without sugar-coating."" - PAUL BYRNE ""An empowering resource."" - RITA ASSI NJWENG