h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I think the Turing Test has effectively been discredited as a possible means of assessing the possible 'intelligence' of a machine. John Searle's 'Chinese Room' analogy pretty much demolished it a number of years ago. I have written a short piece on the subject @ http://www.h2g2.com/A399549 where I give a more detailed justification for a sceptical attutide towards Artificial Intelligence.

I feel I should add "for some people" to the avove comment. Personally, I think it's simplistic, but still stands, and John Searle needs to get some heavy programming practice before he comes up with any more nonsense. I'm not alone...

that was a public information broadcast only - didn't want Lear's overly confident post to go unoppossed...

Thanks for that Lucinda (or Red, I'm never quite sure what to call you)...

Here's another Public Service announcement, for the hard of understanding. The h2g2 scoutarounds enjoyed Searle's 'nonsense' so much they decided to put it into the edited Guide. That isn't necessarily a great recommendation, bearing in mind some of the crap that gets in there. But anyway, here's the new address, just for the record :- http://www.h2g2.com/A486047

PS - Programming practice? Pshaw! Maybe you behaviourists could study a little philosophy someday...