Artificial intelligence is reshaping the stock market, but the hype often drowns out the truth. This book strips away the myths and gives you a grounded, practical understanding of how algorithmic and AI trading systems actually work — and, just as importantly, what they cannot do. You will learn the core principles behind automated strategies, from simple rule-based bots to machine learning models, and explore the real-world challenges: overfitting, data snooping, market regime changes, and the ever-present risk of total loss. No get-rich-quick promises, no secret formulas — just clear explanations and honest risk awareness. Whether you are a curious investor, a developer, or someone who simply wants to understand what the headlines mean, this guide equips you with the knowledge to separate substance from salesmanship. By the end, you will know how to evaluate a trading algorithm, design a basic backtest, and, most importantly, protect your capital from the dangers of unthinking automation. Part of The AI Trading Library.