Developer's Guide to AI

A practical, accessible guide that shows working software developers how to integrate real AI features into the applications they already build—using JavaScript, Python, APIs, and modern cloud services, without needing a data-science background.Working developers everywhere now use AI tools, but most still struggle to turn prompts and prototypes into reliable software features. The Developer’s Guide to AI teaches engineers how to build real, maintainable AI capabilities using the tools they already know—JavaScript, Python, APIs, vector search, and simple agent workflows—without advanced math or machine learning.Readers learn where AI belongs in an application, how to design around real-world constraints like latency and cost, and how to avoid the brittle prototypes that fail under changing requirements. With clear examples and production-focused patterns, this book helps developers ship AI features that last.

Jacob Orshalick has over 20 years in software development, including 16+ as an independent consultant for startups to Fortune 500 companies. A seasoned technologist, he’s led high-impact projects, revitalized struggling initiatives, and co-authored Seam Framework: Experience the Evolution of Java EE. Orshalick speaks regularly at conferences and shares his work at focus.dev.Jerry Mannel Reghunadh is a Senior Director with 20+ years in tech, starting in QA before moving into product innovation and solution architecture. Known for mastering complex concepts and making them accessible, he’s a frequent conference speaker and lifelong tinkerer. Jerry shares his projects at jerrymannel.me. Danny Thompson is a software developer who now leads as a Director of Technology, working with Fortune 500 companies and teaching software developers worldwide. Host of The Programming Podcast and organizer of The Commit Your Code Conference, he is a sought-after speaker who specializes in making complex topics very approachable.