This book investigates the fundamental challenges of creating artificial intelligence capable of genuine learning and linguistic understanding through experience. Roger C. Schank, a prominent figure in cognitive science, and Peter G. Childers examine the limitations of traditional rule-based AI systems. They argue that true intelligence requires a machine to possess the capacity for conceptual memory and the ability to derive new information from its own interactions with the world.

Experts recognize this work as a significant contribution to the debate on symbolic versus connectionist approaches to AI. Readers frequently note the accessible yet rigorous nature of the prose, which bridges the gap between technical computer science and cognitive philosophy.