The length of time until computers can reason, adapt, think, problem solve, tell stories, and understand and create humor? These are all questions which computer scientists working on cognitive computing programming and theory are wondering today. When will a machine, or pc become aware, alert to itself, thus alive, and thinking?
Point about this is philosophical, because of this that some wonder back, this means; are humans really thinking or merely answering stimuli in a really predictable way?
Recently, there have been some top scientists and computer engineers in the field suggesting that mankind in his look for a thinking computer, true intelligence, has moved inside the wrong direction, understanding that a neural network, which would be considered a very different configuration would be right, something not too dissimilar from how a Internet works where each point might do many calculations or different types.
Then there is another group insisting that true artificial intelligence needs the ability to forget as a way to work correctly so it doesn't exhibit schizophrenic behavior (which was observed in addition), along with the power to make some mistakes.
Simply mimicking human expression, or responding using data bases of phrases is not really thinking. Even CRM software which touts itself to artificially intelligent driven isn't really aware, it isn't really thinking, and even though it could pass the Turing Test; to be able to fool a human into believing it's really a real person they may be talking too. Nevertheless, I'd suggest a true thinking computer could think about the reverse, and realize whether or not it's talking to a true human or actually talking to another computer.
Perhaps down the road all those lines can become so blurred as to increase the risk for Turing Test irrelevant?
Indeed, there were entire chains of AI computers which speak with the other person in Internet Forums. It appears like it's a conversation between 2 different people, nevertheless the dialogue is completely shallow, with no original thinking really, although some people might of the responses are interesting, some laughable, but humans too make stupid remarks often enough then one only should surf Facebook for 5-minutes to find out that.
Will computers ever be able to think? Well, assuming you mean; the way in which humans think, the answer then is yes, eventually.
Currently, it seems the Turing Test continues to be achieved, but I ask could be that the real test or threshold you should be considering. It is my thought not only can AI become aware, however it will out think humans by combining the very best of all possible worlds, likewise modified humans, "transhumans" as it were, coupled to computer devices will do exactly the same, which my pals is just a a few time. So, please consider all of this and think onto it.