One of the questions I’m often asked is whether you can teach machine learning to teenagers who don’t yet have a background in calculus or linear algebra. My answer is a resounding yes. As someone who teaches both calculus and machine learning, I’ve had firsthand experience bridging this gap.

When we think of artificial intelligence (AI), we often picture a machine detached from human beings. But this perspective misses a crucial point: AI is not machine intelligence in the sense that it emerges solely from technology. It is collective intelligence—the culmination of human contributions across many organizations, societies, and generations throughout time.

I have taught math for the Berkeley Unified School District for over 20 years. During this time, I have assisted many students trying to complete their math requirements for graduation. In the state of California, two years of math are required, and three are recommended for students applying to state universities. Four years of math is considered essential to get into elite schools.

In public education, the majority of focus centered around ChatGPT is how to prevent students from cheating. Teachers have cited many examples of students using ChatGPT to write papers for them. Some university professors are moving away from assigning papers and going back to blue book tests for this very reason.

If you’ve ever wished for a Python book that actually teaches instead of just explains, that’s exactly why The Python Workshop was written.