Re: Definition
Understanding the underlying process is not important, understanding what is being discussed is critical otherwise it's just rote learning.
For example it's easy to say e = ½mv² but if you don't understand what kinetic energy is or how to apply the knowledge then it's meaningless.
There have been a number of really good lectures about various aspects of AI available online from the Royal Institution Friday Discourses, they do a lot more than Christmas Lectures for kids you know.