How long until computers can actually reason, adapt, think, problem solve, tell stories, and understand and produce humor? These are all queries which computer scientists taking care of automated business optimization programming and theory are wondering today. When does a machine, or pc become aware, conscious of itself, thus alive, and thinking?
Much of this is philosophical, a case in point that some ask the question in reverse, frankly; are humans really thinking or merely answering stimuli in an exceedingly predictable way?
Recently, there has been some top scientists and computer engineers from the field suggesting that mankind in the visit a thinking computer, true intelligence, has moved inside the wrong direction, knowning that a neural network, which could be considered a completely different configuration will be more appropriate, something not very dissimilar from the way the Internet works where each point might do many calculations or differing types.
As there are another group insisting that true artificial intelligence needs a chance to forget in order to work properly therefore it doesn't exhibit schizophrenic behavior (that has been observed by the way), and also the capability to make a few mistakes.
Simply mimicking human expression, or responding using data bases of phrases is simply not thinking. Even CRM software which touts itself being artificially intelligent driven isn't actually aware, it isn't really really thinking, and even though it may pass the Turing Test; the opportunity to fool an individual into believing it's really a real person they may be talking too. Nevertheless, I'd suggest a true thinking computer could possibly think about the reverse, and realize if it's speaking with a real human or actually talking to another computer.
Perhaps in the future dozens of lines can become so blurred regarding make the Turing Test irrelevant?
Indeed, there are entire chains of AI computers which talk to one another in Internet Forums. It seems as though it is just a conversation between two people, nevertheless the dialogue is entirely shallow, no original thinking really, although some with the responses are interesting, some laughable, but humans too make stupid remarks often enough then one only needs to surf Facebook for 5-minutes to see that.
Will computers ever be in a position to think? Well, assuming you mean; the best way humans think, the solution is yes, eventually.
Currently, it seems like the Turing Test may be achieved, however ask could be that the real test or threshold you should be considering. It's my thought not only can AI become aware, however it will out think humans by combining good both worlds, likewise modified humans, "transhumans" if you'll, coupled to computer devices will perform the identical, and that my girlfriends is just a few time. So, please consider this all and think into it.