How much time until computers can in fact reason, adapt, think, problem solve, tell stories, and understand and convey humor? These are generally your concerns which computer scientists focusing on automated business optimization programming and theory are thinking about today. When does a machine, or laptop or computer become aware, conscious of itself, thus alive, and thinking?
Much of this is philosophical, a case in point that some wonder back, this means; are humans really thinking or merely giving an answer to stimuli in an exceedingly predictable way?
Recently, there have been some top scientists and computer engineers within the field suggesting that mankind in the search for a thinking computer, true intelligence, has moved inside the wrong direction, knowning that a neural network, which would be considered a very different configuration could be right, something not too dissimilar from how the Internet works where each point might do many calculations or various sorts.
Plus there is another group insisting that true artificial intelligence needs the opportunity to forget so that you can work properly therefore it doesn't exhibit schizophrenic behavior (which has been observed mind you), and also the power to make mistakes.
Simply mimicking human expression, or responding using data bases of phrases is not really thinking. Even CRM software which touts itself being artificially intelligent driven isn't really aware, it isn't really thinking, and even though it might pass the Turing Test; the ability to fool a person into believing it's actually a real person they're talking too. And yet, I'd suggest a true thinking computer could consider the reverse, and realize regardless of whether it is conversing with a true human or speaking to another computer.
Perhaps down the road all of the lines will end up so blurred regarding result in the Turing Test irrelevant?
Indeed, there has been entire chains of AI computers which speak with the other in Internet Forums. It's like this is a conversation between a couple, but the dialogue is totally shallow, with no original thinking really, even though some with the responses are interesting, some laughable, but humans too make stupid remarks often enough the other only should surf Facebook for 5-minutes to view that.
Will computers ever be able to think? Well, assuming you mean; the way humans think, the answer is yes, eventually.
Currently, it seems like the Turing Test may be achieved, however ask is that the real test or threshold you should be considering. It is indeed my belief that not simply will AI become aware, however it will out think humans by combining the very best of all possible worlds, likewise modified humans, "transhumans" if you will, coupled to computer devices is going to do exactly the same, understanding that my friends is only a few time. So, please consider this all and think into it.