Artificial intelligence is reshaping financial markets, but the reality is far more nuanced than the hype. In this clear-eyed guide, Nathan Cole Reeve strips away the marketing to show how AI trading systems actually work—from machine learning models that scan for patterns to automated bots that execute trades in milliseconds. You'll learn the core technologies behind modern quantitative trading, the data pipelines that feed them, and the critical differences between backtested simulations and live market performance. But this book does not promise riches. It confronts the uncomfortable truth: most algorithmic traders lose money, leverage can destroy accounts, and even the smartest AI can fail when markets shift. Through real-world case studies and practical frameworks, Reeve equips you to evaluate trading tools, spot scams, and understand the risks before you commit a single dollar. Whether you are a curious observer or a would-be practitioner, this book delivers the knowledge to navigate the AI trading landscape with eyes wide open. Part of The AI Trading Library.