This book tells the story of how humanity gradually, step by step, approached the creation of artificial intelligence and how it became an integral part of our lives. How did scientists, philosophers, and writers of different eras imagine artificial minds? What mechanisms did our ancestors create to ease the solution of mental tasks, and in what ways do today's algorithms outperform us? How will our relationships with these new entities develop? What — or whom — are we creating: loyal assistants or potential enemies? What ethical issues are associated with the use of artificial intelligence? The author does not give definitive answers to these questions but explains their importance and invites the reader to reflect on them.