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Philosophy and Ethics of AI: A Modern Approach — Summary and 2026 Analysis

In the 2026 landscape of Artificial Intelligence, Stuart Russell and Peter Norvig’s Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach (AIMA) remains the definitive philosophical compass for the field. In its 4th edition, the authors moved beyond the technical “how-to” of algorithms to address a more urgent question: How do we ensure that increasingly autonomous agents act in ways that are actually beneficial to humans? This article summarizes the core philosophical debates and ethical frameworks presented in the text, updated with the realities of the mid-2020s.

1. Foundational Philosophical Questions

The text begins by distinguishing between Weak AI (the quest to build machines that act as if they were intelligent) and Strong AI (the quest to build machines that actually have conscious minds).

Weak AI: The Turing Test and the “Disabilities” Argument

Historically, critics of AI relied on the “Argument from Disability,” listing things a machine would never do: be kind, have a …

The True Cost to Replace a Hybrid Car Battery Out of Warranty in 2026

January 19, 2026January 22, 2026 - by Matthew Scott

For a long time, the “battery death” was the urban legend that kept many skeptical buyers away from hybrid vehicles. The fear was simple: eventually, you would face a repair bill so high it would effectively “total” the car.

As we move through 2026, the reality has shifted dramatically. While a battery replacement remains a significant expense, it is no longer the financial catastrophe it once was. With global battery pack prices hitting record lows—averaging between $80 and $111 per kWh—and a robust secondary market of independent specialists, owners of out-of-warranty hybrids now have a variety of affordable paths forward.

The 2026 Price Landscape: Why Costs Have Dropped

In early 2024, replacing a hybrid battery was often a $4,000 to $6,000 affair at a dealership. By 2026, three major factors have driven these prices down:

Economies of Scale: Massive global investment in battery gigafactories has commoditized the lithium-ion and

Artificial Intelligence

Solved Exercises and Practice Problems for Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach (4th Edition)

January 13, 2026January 22, 2026 - by Matthew Scott

As of 2026, Stuart Russell and Peter Norvig’s Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach (AIMA) remains the “gold standard” for AI education. While the field has shifted toward Large Language Models (LLMs) and Generative AI, the foundational principles—search, logic, and probability—are more critical than ever for understanding how these massive systems operate.

This guide provides solved exercises and practice problems organized by the textbook’s core themes, designed to help students master the logic behind the algorithms.

1. Intelligent Agents & Problem Solving (Chapters 2–6)

The “Agent” is the central protagonist of AIMA. To understand an agent, you must first define its PEAS (Performance, Environment, Actuators, Sensors).

Solved Exercise: PEAS for a 2026 Autonomous Medical Drone

Problem: Define the PEAS for a drone designed to deliver emergency medical supplies in a dense urban environment.

Performance Measure: Delivery speed, safety (avoiding collisions), battery efficiency, and success rate of package integrity.
Environment: Urban airspace,

Hybrid Car Batteries

Average Lifespan of Hybrid Car Batteries by Manufacturer: 2026 Data and Trends

January 5, 2026January 22, 2026 - by Matthew Scott

The hybrid vehicle market in 2026 is a landscape transformed, marked by rapid technological advancements, evolving consumer expectations, and a clearer understanding of long-term component durability. A central pillar of this evolution is the hybrid battery—once a source of anxiety for potential buyers, now a testament to engineering longevity. This article dives deep into the average lifespan of hybrid car batteries, breaking down performance by manufacturer and shedding light on the critical factors influencing their durability as we navigate the mid-2020s.

The 2026 Market Context: Shifting Perceptions and Costs

By 2026, the specter of prohibitively expensive battery replacements has largely dissipated. Industry data indicates that the average cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for replacement hybrid battery packs has stabilized, reaching near-parity with complex traditional engine repairs—typically ranging from $80 to $111 per kWh. This significant reduction, driven by economies of scale, improved manufacturing processes, and increased competition, means that replacing a …

Differences between artificial intelligence a modern approach 3rd and 4th edition

December 23, 2025January 22, 2026 - by Matthew Scott

In the world of computer science, few textbooks carry as much weight as Stuart Russell and Peter Norvig’s Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach (AIMA). For over two decades, it has been the “Bible of AI.” However, the leap from the 3rd Edition (2009) to the 4th Edition (2020) represents much more than a routine update. It is a fundamental pivot reflecting the most explosive decade in the history of computing.

If you are an educator or a self-taught student in 2026, understanding these differences is crucial for aligning your studies with the current state of the industry.

A Tale of Two Eras

The 3rd Edition was written in 2009, an era when AI was dominated by “Good Old Fashioned AI” (GOFAI)—symbolic logic, hand-crafted knowledge bases, and expert systems. Deep learning was still a niche academic interest.

The 4th Edition, released in 2020, arrives in a post-AlexNet world. About 25% of …