Written Assignment: AI By Hand - Part 2 (100 Points)
Assignment Goals
The goals of this assignment are:- Deepen understanding of advanced AI algorithms through manual derivations.
- Practice step-by-step reasoning with more complex problem scenarios (search, optimization, probability, and reasoning).
- Implement hand-solved exercises in Python to validate correctness.
- Reflect on computational, ethical, and societal implications of these algorithms at scale.
The Assignment
Assignment: AI By Hand - Part 2
In this assignment, you will complete Problems 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, and 13 of the AI by Hand exercises. This set focuses on more advanced AI concepts, requiring both manual derivation and implementation in code.
Instructions
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Download and review the full AI by Hand - Vol 1 book here:
AI by Hand - Vol 1 (Scribd) - Complete the following specific parts from the text (linked below):
- For each problem:
- By hand: Work through all derivations and computations step-by-step. Show your complete work (e.g., calculations, intermediate steps, hand-written notes).
- In code (Python recommended): Implement the algorithms or calculations in Python to verify correctness and provide additional insights.
- Write-up: Provide a narrative that explains your process, highlights connections between hand-computation and implementation, and reflects on what you learned.
- Your final submission should include:
- Scans or photographs of your handwritten solutions.
- A Python notebook or code file reproducing the exercises.
- A written report (1–2 pages) containing:
- Introduction and overview of these Problems.
- Step-by-step derivations and explanations.
- Verification with code outputs.
- Reflection on computational trade-offs and ethical considerations in AI.
Reflection Prompts
- Which exercise did you find most challenging to complete by hand, and why?
- Did coding the exercises help reveal subtleties that were harder to see on paper?
- How do these small-scale hand exercises relate to large-scale AI architectures like Transformers?
- What ethical issues emerge when the techniques are scaled up in real-world applications?
- How do resource usage and sustainability concerns influence the practicality of large-scale AI?
Resources
- Full AI by Hand book: AI by Hand - Vol 1
- Individual parts for this assignment:
Submission
Please submit all files as a ZIP file on the Course Learning Management System.Assignment Rubric
| Description | Pre-Emerging (< 50%) | Beginning (50%) | Progressing (85%) | Proficient (100%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analysis (25%) | Outlines key ideas with limited accuracy or depth. | Explains the core ideas with some detail and attempts examples. | Provides accurate and detailed derivations with clear explanation of steps. | Delivers comprehensive, mathematically rigorous derivations, with careful explanation of underlying principles and connections. |
| Integration of External Sources (25%) | Mentions sources with minimal integration. | References multiple credible sources with some explanation. | Integrates authoritative sources consistently to support claims. | Synthesizes insights from diverse, high-quality sources seamlessly into the narrative. |
| Synthesis and Original Insight (25%) | Provides basic connections among ideas. | Connects hand calculations and code to personal insights. | Integrates theory, code, and manual calculations into a coherent whole with clear implications. | Offers novel, insightful synthesis, connecting hands-on exercises to broader technical, ethical, and societal impacts. |
| Organization and Writing Quality (25%) | Content is fragmented or unclear. | Content is somewhat organized, with occasional lapses in clarity. | Well-structured, coherent narrative with clear flow and correct citation. | Polished, professional writing with excellent organization, transitions, and precise citation. |
Please refer to the Style Guide for code quality examples and guidelines.