What is a neural network (in simple terms for a teapot)?

Question

Neural networks

Good afternoon! I am writing an article about neural networks. On different sites it is very difficult to write about them x, it is difficult to understand their essence (for a person in the humanities). If you can explain in simple words:
1. How is a neural network different from a program?
2. Can I create a neural network on my computer?
3. Is there any specific literature where everything is clearly written about the neural network?
PS I apologize in advance, the questions can be stupid, I just want to understand the whole essence of neural networks.

Answer 1

1. NS is a mathematical model. A program, in particular, can be an implementation of a mathematical model in a computer code. The work of the neural network can also be calculated on paper, but slowly)
2. you can.
3. yes.
But see how the network works right in the browser: https://playground.tensorflow.org

Answer 2

Here is a course laid out on the Basics of Neural Network and Computer Vision