Agreed, although the code examples in python ( http://code.google.com/p/aima-python/ ) and lisp ( http://aima.cs.berkeley.edu/lisp/doc/overview.html ) are worth pointing out.
Most of the algorithms I've tested seem pretty slow. Although the linked examples are for learning.
From my research AI seems to be primarily LISP in academia and C in production.
Most AI algorithms have clearly defined segments that are very CPU intensive, by only using C in those areas I get the optimal balance of development speed and execution speed.