Text: The Gates View: Will computers be able to think?

Source: Computer Age 11/7/95

 Possible issues to discuss:

1. What does it mean "to think"?

• List synonyms of this word. How does Riley use this term?
• How is human thinking different from computer thinking?

2. How can a PC be said to "act sympathetic" (paragraph 8)?

• What is meant by the term "artificial intelligence"?
• Will they ever be the same?
• Are we being deceived by metaphors here?

3. Why do you think Gates is guarded in his answer here?

4. Is meaningful to speak of superior thinking?

5. What does it mean to use creative thinking?

G. Smith 18/7/95

NOTES FROM DISCUSSIONS

1. The slippery slide now we have computers. there's no turning back.

We cannot be Luddites; we enjoy the comforts of technology

Where do we draw the line? we are now content with out computers as tools, but what new troubles could evolve?

2. What's the difference between a decision and a step?

controlling is power; computers control

3. Just how are we superior to computers?

They do graphs faster, calculate faster, produce tidier products

Are we being fooled by our own pride?

the power of programmers is not the power of all humans

the Azmov three laws of Robotics: will they protect us?

4. Power of computers in our everyday language

Blame the computer!

The computer wants it! needs it! demands it! requires it!

It's the computer's fault!

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