Summarize this in 3 bullet points, keep it simple.
model: "gpt-4o" · temperature: 0.7 · max_tokens: 1000
You are a helpful assistant. Be concise and clear.
ChatGPT · Claude · Gemini · Copilot · Midjourney
Write a professional email about the project delay.
Explain this concept like I'm 10 years old.
Available Now on Amazon

AI isn't the future.
It's right now
and it's for everyone.

"What's AI?" is the complete beginner's guide to working with Artificial Intelligence. No coding required. No technical background needed. Just clear, practical guidance on how to use the most powerful tools ever built — starting today.

📚 Hardcover 📖 Paperback 📱 Kindle
In the Series
In the series
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3 Formats
HC · PB · Kindle
What's AI? book cover by John Rouda
W

WHAT'S AI?

A Complete Beginner's Guide to
Working with Artificial Intelligence
John Rouda
📚 HC 📖 PB 📱 Kindle

Understand AI. Use it confidently.
No technical background required.

From what AI actually is to building real workflows that save you hours every week — all explained in plain English.

01
🧠

What Is AI, Really?

Cut through the hype. Learn what artificial intelligence actually is, how large language models work, and why they're the biggest shift in technology since the internet.

02
💬

Prompting That Works

The difference between a mediocre AI response and a brilliant one is your prompt. Learn the techniques that get consistent, accurate, useful results every time.

03
🛠️

The Major AI Tools

ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, Midjourney, and more — understand what each tool is best for and when to reach for which one.

04
✍️

AI for Writing & Work

Emails, reports, summaries, presentations, research — learn how to use AI to do in minutes what used to take hours, without losing your voice.

05
🎨

AI for Images & Media

Generate stunning visuals, edit photos, create presentations, and produce video — a practical guide to the AI creative tools changing every industry.

06

Building Your AI Workflow

Put it all together and design a personal AI workflow that saves you real time, every day. The goal: less busywork, more of what actually matters.

chapter_01_prompt.txt
// Your first great AI prompt

You:
"You are an expert editor.
 Rewrite this email to be
 professional and concise."

AI:
"Dear Sarah, I wanted to follow
 up on our earlier discussion...
 [perfectly rewritten]"

 That took 4 seconds. Not 40 minutes.

AI for humans,
not just engineers.

Most AI books are written for developers. This one is written for everyone else — the people who just want to know how to use it.

  • 💡

    Zero technical background needed

    No code. No math. No computer science degree. If you can use a search engine, you can use AI — and this book shows you how to use it well.

  • Practical from the first page

    Every chapter gives you something you can use today — prompts, tools, workflows, and strategies that produce real results immediately.

  • 🌍

    The most important skill of our time

    In five years, "knowing how to use AI" will be as expected as knowing how to use email. This book gets you ahead of that curve today.

  • 🏆

    Honest about limitations

    AI is powerful but imperfect. This book teaches you not just how to use it, but how to use it wisely — including when not to.

What readers are saying.

From beta readers who got a first look at the complete guide.

★★★★★

"I've been intimidated by AI for months. This book made it approachable in a single afternoon. Now I use it every day at work and I honestly can't imagine going back."

L
Laura M.
Beta Reader
★★★★★

"The prompting chapter is worth the entire book. I went from getting mediocre responses to getting exactly what I needed, every time. Total game changer."

R
Ryan T.
Beta Reader
★★★★★

"I run a small business and this book showed me how to use AI for marketing, emails, and customer responses. It's like having an assistant who never takes a day off."

D
Dana K.
Beta Reader
★★★★★

"I'm a teacher and I was nervous about AI in education. This book gave me a balanced, honest view — and now I use it to create better lesson plans faster."

C
Carol B.
Beta Reader
★★★★★

"After reading the whole What's series, this one felt like the most immediately useful. I had real, practical workflows set up before I finished the last chapter."

M
Marcus J.
Series Reader
★★★★★

"Clear, honest, and surprisingly fun to read. John explains AI the way a smart friend would — not a salesperson, not a fear-monger. Just the truth, clearly."

S
Sarah O.
Beta Reader

Eight books. One complete path
from zero to the cutting edge.

HTML to Python to AI — all in plain English, all designed for anyone who wants to understand how technology actually works.

What's Python?
Available

What's Python?

Data, automation, and AI. The world's #1 language, explained simply.

What's PHP?
Available

What's PHP?

Build dynamic, database-driven websites on the server.

What's JavaScript?
Available

What's JavaScript?

Bring any webpage to life with logic and interactivity.

What's SQL?
Available

What's SQL?

Query and manage any database. The data language every professional needs.

What's CSS?
Available

What's CSS?

Style, layout, and animate your webpages.

What's HTML5?
Available

What's HTML5?

Modern HTML — semantic elements, canvas, forms, and more.

What's HTML?
Available

What's HTML?

The foundation. Structure and tags that power every webpage.

John Rouda
✍️ Author

John Rouda

John Rouda is a technologist, educator, and writer who has spent his career at the intersection of complex technology and clear communication. From the structure of the web to the logic of programming to the data behind applications — his series has walked thousands of readers through topics that once felt out of reach.

"What's AI?" is the book he's been most eager to write. Artificial intelligence is transforming every field, every profession, and every aspect of daily life. John's goal is to make sure that transformation belongs to everyone — not just those with a technical background.

AI is the biggest shift
since the internet.

Hardcover, Paperback, and Kindle editions on Amazon now.