I'm really interested in getting started with some AI programming. I'm a little lost as to what math(s) I should study. Would it be similiar to graphics with just knowing Linear Algebra inside and out? I'm planning on purchasing Game AI by Example very soon as well. Any advice would be appreciated.

AI is a very wide field. Some of the mathematical areas you're likely to come across are logic, probability, statistics, and calculus.

Game AI by Example is a pretty good book. As prep reading it's probably a good idea to get your vector maths up to scratch.

Key areas are:

Calculating distance between two points
normalising a vector
using the 'dot product' to find the angle between two vectors.

That said, the book does start off by introducing those elements. But while your waiting for it to turn up you can get started on that and skip chapter one.

I agree with burnthepc.

The book Programming Game AI By Example has a chapter that explains the math used in the book. The author teaches you algebra and physics.

A good book about math for games is Essential Mathematics for Games and Interactive Applications: A Programmer's Guide

Thanks for the help everyone. That gives me a good starting point to build off of.

Quote: Original post by Nikko_Bertoa
I agree with burnthepc.

The book Programming Game AI By Example has a chapter that explains the math used in the book. The author teaches you algebra and physics.

A good book about math for games is Essential Mathematics for Games and Interactive Applications: A Programmer's Guide

I have both of those, and can vouch for them being good books. The first one is awesome, especially.

Quote: Original post by Kylotan
AI is a very wide field. Some of the mathematical areas you're likely to come across are logic, probability, statistics, and calculus.

Add on graph theory and linear algebra and perhaps note bayesian probability more than frequentists and i think that about covers the necessary foundation. Okay maybe some set theory. And game theory, although i have not seen the last put to any real use. oh and if you want to do constraint satisfaction type things then Operations research books are useful too.