The Foundations and Future of AI: Methods, Models, and Machine Intelligence

AI transforms technologies in the modern era, reshaping industries, economies, and societies through simulated human intelligence and automation of complex tasks. Rooted in disciplines like computer science, mathematics, cognitive psychology, and data science, AI relies on foundational methods including machine learning, neural networks, and natural language processing to analyze data, recognize patterns, and make decisions. Advances in computational power and the development of sophisticated models accelerate AI's capabilities, enabling breakthroughs in areas like healthcare, robotics, education, and autonomous systems. As researchers push the boundaries of machine intelligence, the future of AI presents both extraordinary opportunities and significant ethical, social, and technological challenges that shape the relationship between humans and intelligent machines. The Foundations and Future of AI: Methods, Models, and Machine Intelligence explores the fundamental principles, techniques, and models that form the basis of AI, including machine learning, neural networks, and data-driven decision-making systems. It examines the future development of machine intelligence, focusing on its potential applications, societal impact, ethical concerns, and the evolving relationship between humans and intelligent technologies. This book covers topics such as predictive modeling, computer vision, and data analysis, and is a useful resource for engineers, academicians, researchers, and scientists.

Poshan (Sam) Yu is a Chinese-Australian professional with an astonishingly diverse background and an extensive collection of remarkable accomplishments. In the academic sphere, he currently teaches at the University of Victoria Program at Soochow University. Previously, he held the position of an external professor of financial technology and finance at SKEMA Business School. He also serves as a visiting researcher at the Australian Studies Centre of Shanghai University, a guest professor at emlyon business school China, and an adjunct faculty member at George Washington University's master (finance) program at Renmin University of China. As a visiting professor at Krirk University in Thailand and an EU-Asia research coordinator at the European Business Institute in Luxembourg, he brings a truly global perspective to his teaching and research activities. He is a member of the IP & Innovation Researchers of Asia (IPIRA) Network and the Global South Dialogue on Economic Crime (GSDEC), further enriching his academic engagement. His prior role as a casual academic at the University of South Australia Business School has significantly enhanced and diversified his academic portfolio. From September 2020 to February 2021, he held the position of visiting scholar at The Chinese University of Hong Kong on two occasions. His scholarly pursuits are extensive and multifaceted. As an editor for the European Academic Journal (Special Issue) - European Business Institute in Luxembourg, an editor for Humanities & Social Sciences Communications (an SSCI-indexed journal), and an associate editor for the International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Social Science, he plays a crucial role in the dissemination of knowledge. He is an ad hoc reviewer for a number of prestigious journals and academic presses, including Applied Economics, Applied Artificial Intelligence, Cogent Economics & Finance, Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Journal of Chinese Economic and Business Studies, Journal of Digital Learning and Education, The Singapore Economic Review, ILMA Journal of Social Sciences & Economics, Journal of Environmental Issues and Climate Change, Advances in Global Economic and Business Journal, The Interdisciplinary Social Sciences Journal Collection, Common Ground Research Networks, Imprint - Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Innovative Teaching and Learning, IBT Journal of Business Studies, Journal of Infrastructure Policy and Development, and Innovative Informatics and Artificial Intelligence Research. Moreover, he is an international editorial advisory board member for several edited books such as Advancing STEM Education and Innovation in a Time of Distance Learning (Scopus-indexed), Multidisciplinary Perspectives Towards Building a Digitally Competent Society (Scopus-indexed), Handbook of Research on SDGs for Economic Development, Social Development, and Environmental Protection, and Implications for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development in the Blue Economy. He has released more than 12 journal articles, among which 6 are listed as ABDC: B/SSCI. He has also contributed over 70 peer-reviewed book chapters imprinted by renowned publishers like IGI Global, Routledge, and Springer. He has edited 22 books, with 14 English-edited books indexed by Scopus and 6 Chinese-edited books. Notably, the book about Innovation & Exploration: The Development of FinTech in Jiangsu China has received the 14th Outstanding Achievement Award of Philosophy and Social Sciences in Suzhou and the 3rd prize of the 2018 Jiangsu Provincial Education Science Research Achievement Award by Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education. His receipt of four Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) National University Teaching Innovation Awards from 2016 to 2020 and being recognized as a top contender in the same national competition in 2016 led to his appointment as the Institute of Leadership and Education Advanced Development (ILEAD) Research Fellow by XJTLU. In 2021, he received The Outstanding Contribution Award for Industrial Research Development in China, CIE100 issued by Wisdom China Magazine: Beijing. Beyond academia, he is actively involved in various industries. He is an entrepreneur and venture capitalist, collaborating with alumni and senior faculty members from Cambridge University. Additionally, he is a guest financial news commentator on over 30 media platforms in China. In the business world, he holds significant positions. He is a regional partner in China for FasterCapital based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He also serves as vice president at Tinbowah Investment in Beijing and as an honorary vice president of the Belt and Road Blockchain Association. Furthermore, he mentors businesses for AIC RAISE in Coimbatore, India, the Griffith Industry Mentoring Program in Australia, and University College London Innovation & Enterprise. In 2023, he was invited to act as a venture capital panel judge and mentor at 'Y&Archer A Stream 2023' conference in Jeju, South Korea. His research interests are broad and encompass financial technology, regulatory technology, blockchain, web 3.0 in financial services, generative AI, public-private partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, venture capital, startups, family offices, IoTs, supply chain finance, intellectual property, art finance, wine, back-door listing, intangible cultural heritage, and Chinese economy & policy. His extensive experience in international fintech, edtech, startup, social media, and cleantech companies across India, the UK, Australia, Hong Kong, and China is truly remarkable. His three-year tenure in significant leadership positions within the Chinese-Australian media marketing and public relations sector, along with his role as an OzAsia Festival Ambassador in Australia, has exerted a profound influence on his current modus operandi as an academic and business consultant. Additionally, it has considerably broadened his perspective within the international multicultural arts community and enlarged his business network. This multifaceted experience has furnished him with a more comprehensive and inclusive outlook on academia, industry, and research. He is fully dedicated to making substantial contributions in these areas and is keen on furthering his development in the future. Incidentally, Sam has an inclination towards wine, arts, and reading.

James Mulli is the Founder, Program Director and Academic Dean of the European Business Institute, Luxembourg. He lectures in Applied Blockchain Technologies and Artificial Intelligence integration, post-graduate Corporate Finance & Business Statistics, and Managerial Accounting. He has held lectureships at in Luxembourg, China, the USA, Kenya and Germany. Dr. Mulli is a former director of two successful New York based multinational conglomerates and has valuable experience in the field as an NASD Series 7 compliance officer for the broker dealer Heyka Capital Management. He worked as a Portfolio Manager for the Soros Fund Management's Quantum Industrial Partners and holds a Doctorate and Masters degree from Saint Johns University, New York, and an MBA from New Hampshire Plymouth State University with specialization in Investment and Finance. Dr. Mulli is an international educator, and educational technology consultant with a keen interest in looking over the horizon at how technology is shaping the world. His search for trends in emerging technologies allows him to be an educator who applies skills to help students thrive. He is the founder of Technology Enabled Learning - Africa, and European Business Institute, Luxembourg, both non-for-profit educational providers whose initiative is to support existing Institutions in developing e-learning . His belief is that education is the silver bullet for development and through existing expertise and support infrastructure, EBI can provide the needed “jump-start” to institutions in Europe, Africa, Asia and beyond. Dr. Mulli is a Rockefeller Foundation Grant Recipient, and a Prince Fellow Teaching Excellence recipient. He is a textbook author and has published numerous newspaper and magazine articles.

Zain Ali Shah Syed is currently affiliated with Soochow University.

Umm-e-Laila is a Pakistani academic, HEC Approved Supervisor, and registered engineer with nearly two decades of experience in teaching, research, and academic leadership. She currently serves as Associate Professor and Program Head of Software Engineering at the Institute of Business Management (IoBM), Karachi, and is concurrently pursuing a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Multimedia University (MMU), CyberJaya, Malaysia (2025–onwards), focusing on machine learning-integrated AHP multicriteria analysis for open-source software adoption in mission-critical IT infrastructure. She holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Information Technology from NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi (2016–2021), an MEng in Computer Engineering (Software Engineering), and a BSc in Computer Engineering, both from Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET). She holds international certifications including SCJP, SCWCD, and Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP). Her research spans Open-Source Software, Software Engineering, IoT, Big Data, Deep Learning, and Artificial Intelligence. She has authored and co-authored more than 40 publications in internationally indexed journals including , and . She is co-editor of two IGI Global books ― and ― and has two further book projects in progress. Dr. Umm-e-Laila serves as Editor of PJETS (HEC Y Category) and has served as Guest Editor for special issues in , and several other Springer journals. She has chaired sessions at more than eight international conferences, including IEEC, ICETBEST 2026, and IMTIC 2025, and is an Expert Member of the Board of Faculty at Begum Nusrat Bhutto Women's University, Sukkur. She was named Winner of the Future Leader Award 2026 (Torchbearers of Knowledge) at ITCN Asia and the Global CISO Forum. She is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Engineers Pakistan (IEP), a Registered Engineer with PEC, and an Elected Local Council Member of IEP Karachi (2023–2025). She delivered a Keynote Speech on women's technology empowerment at the IEP Center on International Women's Day 2024 and is a focal person for ERASMUS (CBHE) funding applications with national and international partners.