A great deal of very educational discussion was posted here regarding how A330 Control Laws work. These aren't the AutoPilot per se, but the compbination of mechanical, electric, hydraulic, and computer driven inputs to the positioning of the flight controls as a response to pilot action, or level of AutoPilot pilot assistance selected for a given phase of flight.
I'm certain that the pilots of the AF447 had read and learn it time ago before it was posted here
However it does not have served them a lot to regain control of the aircraft
I think they had to learn other things .. or they had already learned it .. but forget it just when they need it so much ..