Why is Lisp AI suitable for each other?

David Nolen (contributor of Clojure and ClojureScript; creator of Core Logic a port of miniKanren) in a talk called LISP as too powerful stated that back in his days LISP was decades ahead of other programming languages. There are a number of reasons why the language wasn't able to maintain its initial reputation.

• This article highlights some key points why LISP AI is good for each other
  
• Easy to define a new language and manipulate complex information.
  
• Full flexibility in defining and manipulating programs as well as data.
  
• Fast, as the program is concise along with low-level detail.
  
• Good programming environment (debugging, incremental compilers, editors).
  

Most of my friends in this field usually use Matlab for Artificial Neural Networks and Machine Learning. It hides the low-level details though. If you are only looking for results and not how you get there, then Matlab will be good. But if you want to learn even low-level detailed stuff, then I will suggest you go through LISP at-least once. The language might not be that important if you have an understanding of various AI algorithms and techniques. I will suggest you read "Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach'' (by Stuart J. Russell and Peter Norvig". I am currently reading this book, and it's a very good book.