Can Machines Think?

Rockwell Anyoha – Harvard University

The article traces the history of Artificial Intelligence ( from its inception in science fiction to its development in the 20th century. It highlights the early challenges faced by AI due to computational limitations and the subsequent breakthroughs in algorithmic techniques and increased computer power. The article discusses AI’s achievements, including chess-playing computers and speech recognition software. The current age of “big data” and AI’s applications in various industries are explored, and the future prospects of AI, particularly in language processing and driverless cars, are considered. The ultimate goal of achieving general intelligence is mentioned, with ethical concerns surrounding it.