Artificial Intelligence is often treated as a “black box,” but its true power lies in elegant mathematical foundations. In Why Machines Learn, Anil Ananthaswamy takes readers on a narrative journey through the essential equations and logic that allow computers to recognize faces, translate languages, and drive cars. By blending the history of radical thinkers with accessible explanations of linear algebra and calculus, the book reveals how simple concepts—like finding the steepest path down a hill—evolved into the complex neural networks of today. It is a fundamental guide for anyone wanting to understand the “why” behind the AI revolution without needing an advanced degree in mathematics.