  Many statistical models are algebraic in that they are defined in terms of
polynomial constraints, or in terms of polynomial or rational parametrizations.
The parameter spaces of such models are typically semi-algebraic subsets of the
parameter space of a reference model with nice properties, such as for example
a regular exponential family. This observation leads to the definition of an
`algebraic exponential family'. This new definition provides a unified
framework for the study of statistical models with algebraic structure. In this
paper we review the ingredients to this definition and illustrate in examples
how computational algebraic geometry can be used to solve problems arising in
statistical inference in algebraic models.
