Practical AI for Professionals: Understanding, Using, and Surviving AI bridges the gap between high-level philosophy and technical implementation, delivering actionable AI knowledge for educated professionals without specialized training in computation, statistics, or modeling. This book focuses on what matters most: understanding how to use AI effectively in law, medicine, finance, engineering, and other domains without needing to master the technical foundations of AI systems.
Readers are guided through essential competencies including prompt engineering, no-code analytics, tool selection, autonomous agents, and strategic deployment. Real-world case studies demonstrate AI in action with immediate applications, spanning prompt refinement strategies, building custom analytics dashboards without coding, implementing enterprise AI systems, understanding autonomous weapons in modern warfare, and navigating copyright disputes. The book also examines critical forces shaping AI's trajectory including safety frameworks, legal liability, geopolitical competition, cybersecurity threats, and economic transformation. Each chapter balances practical techniques readers can apply straight away with analysis of broader implications for professional practice, helping readers evaluate emerging AI developments with confidence. The authors take a balanced view, addressing both opportunities and genuine risks within a five-to-ten year horizon that matters most for career and organizational strategy.
Practical AI for Professionals:Understanding, Using, and Surviving AI serves all professionals, particularly lawyers, physicians, financial analysts, engineers, managers, and other domain experts who need to understand AI deeply enough to deploy it effectively, assess vendor claims critically, and position themselves strategically in a transforming professional landscape. The book assumes no technical background but delivers substantive technical understanding through clear explanations and concrete examples.
Table of Contents:
1. Introduction 2. Talking with Machines 3. AI Models and Selected Tools 4. Democratizing Analytics 5. AI Use Cases 6. Case Study–Implementing AI at Polaris EcoSystems 7. Robots—The Physical Embodiment of AI 8. Agentic AI 9. AI at the Edge 10. AI Safety and Alignment with Human Interests 11. AI in War and Defense 12. Cyber Security for AI 13. When Algorithms Meet the Courtroom: AI's Legal Landscape 14. Geopolitical Impact 15. AI in Society and the Economy 16. Now What? AI in the 21st Century
About the Author :
William A. Yarberry, Jr., CPA, provides consulting services in AI, analytics, and IT governance. With 30+ years of experience, including senior manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers, he has authored books including The Effective CIO and Computer Telephony Integration. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa in chemistry from the University of Tennessee and holds an MBA from the University of Memphis.
Wesley Ladd is an AI software consultant and entrepreneur who helps companies develop practical AI solutions. Following roles in tech risk advisory at EY and cloud security at RSM, he founded a consultancy making AI accessible to non-technical users across industries including renewable energy and financial services.
Review :
"From thinking machines to digital workers, AI is evolving at a breathtaking pace. But what does it actually take to harness its power? Practical AI for Professionals offers an unflinching look at the real-world application of AI agents and robotics. This book balances the promise of 24/7 digital workers and unprecedented efficiency with a candid assessment of the risks—from compounding errors and integration nightmares to the profound societal shifts ahead. Through compelling case studies and expert analysis, you'll learn not only where AI is succeeding, but also where it fails. For any professional seeking to build, manage, or lead in an AI-driven world, this book is your indispensable guide to what comes next."
Alexander Abdalla, Head of Platform Development, Fortune 500 real estate services company
