4gmf.org - Part 3

Intelligent Agents and Goal-Based Systems in Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach (2026 Edition)

November 30, 2025January 21, 2026 - by Matthew Scott

In the seminal text Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach, Stuart Russell and Peter Norvig define AI not merely as the study of algorithms, but as the design of intelligent agents. As we navigate the technological landscape of 2026, this definition has transitioned from a theoretical framework into a lived reality. We have moved past the era of “Passive AI”—chatbots that wait for a prompt—into the era of Agentic AI: autonomous systems that perceive, reason, and act to achieve complex goals across the digital and physical worlds.

Defining the Agent

At its core, an Intelligent Agent is anything that perceives its Environment through Sensors and acts upon that environment through Actuators. In 2026, the distinction between a mere “tool” and a true “agent” lies in Rationality. While a tool (like a calculator) is reactive and lacks an internal drive, a rational agent acts to maximize its …

Future Electric Cars

Beyond Lithium-Ion: The Upcoming Electric Cars with Solid-State Batteries and 600-Mile Range

November 28, 2025December 12, 2025 - by Matthew Scott

For the last decade, the electric vehicle (EV) industry has been running a marathon in lead boots. While we have seen incredible advances in software, motor efficiency, and aerodynamics, the core technology powering our vehicles—the lithium-ion battery—has remained fundamentally unchanged since Sony commercialized it in 1991.

Current EV owners live with a set of unspoken compromises. We accept that “fast charging” still takes 20 to 40 minutes. We accept that cold weather slashes our range by 30%. We accept that degradation is inevitable. But a technological shift is on the horizon that promises to erase these compromises entirely.

We are standing on the precipice of the Solid-State Battery (SSB) revolution. This isn’t just an incremental update; it is a generational leap in physics and chemistry that aims to deliver the “Holy Grail” of electric mobility: the 600-mile range EV that charges in 10 minutes.

If you are the type of …

Hybrid Car Batteries

Symptoms of a Failing Hybrid Battery and How to Test It: A Comprehensive 2026 Guide

November 18, 2025January 21, 2026 - by Matthew Scott

The high-voltage battery in a hybrid vehicle is the heart of its efficiency. Unlike a traditional lead-acid starter battery, which typically fails suddenly and leaves you stranded in your driveway, a hybrid “traction” battery usually dies a slow, lingering death. In the 2026 automotive landscape—where many early-generation hybrids are hitting high mileages and newer lithium-ion models are entering their second decade—recognizing the early warning signs of battery failure is essential for avoiding massive repair bills and maintaining your vehicle’s safety.

This guide outlines the subtle and critical red flags of a failing hybrid battery and provides a roadmap for testing its health using both DIY and professional methods.

Section 1: The Subtle Red Flags

Early symptoms of battery degradation are often overlooked because the car continues to drive. However, these “quiet” warnings are the best time to intervene before a total system shutdown.

The MPG Slide: If your hybrid, which

Artificial Intelligence

How to Self-Study Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach for Beginners (2026 Edition)

November 14, 2025January 21, 2026 - by Matthew Scott

In 2026, the landscape of Artificial Intelligence has shifted from a niche academic pursuit into a foundational literacy. We are no longer just in the era of “coding” software; we are in the era of agentic AI, where models don’t just predict the next word—they reason, plan, and execute tasks. For a beginner, the sheer volume of information can be paralyzing. However, there has never been a better time to self-study. With AI-powered tutors (like the one you are using now) to explain complex math and open-source frameworks that handle the “heavy lifting,” the barrier to entry has crumbled.

This roadmap will take you from zero to building your first autonomous AI agent using a structured, modern approach.

Phase 1: The Foundations (Building the Bedrock)

Before you can build the next great AI, you must speak its language. In 2026, Python remains the undisputed king of AI. Its syntax …

Hybrid Car Batteries

Hybrid Battery Reconditioning vs. Buying New: Is the “Green” Fix Really Worth It?

November 10, 2025January 21, 2026 - by Matthew Scott

The silence of a hybrid car gliding through a parking lot is a symphony to its owner – until that dreaded moment the “Check Hybrid System” warning illuminates the dashboard, often accompanied by the “Triangle of Doom.” For owners of aging hybrid vehicles, particularly those with 150,000 miles or more, this often signals the inevitable: a failing high-voltage battery. Faced with a potentially crippling repair bill, a critical question arises: is hybrid battery reconditioning a smart, economical, and environmentally friendly choice, or is biting the bullet and buying a brand-new battery the only path to long-term peace of mind?

What is Reconditioning, Really?

Battery reconditioning is often misunderstood, conflated with simpler, less effective “repairs.” True reconditioning is a sophisticated, multi-step process performed by specialized shops, not a DIY project. It involves removing the entire battery pack from the vehicle, disassembling it into individual modules (cells), and then rigorously testing each …