How long until computers can reason, adapt, think, problem solve, tell stories, and understand and convey humor? They're all questions which computer scientists working on artificial intelligence systems programming and theory are thinking about today. When does a machine, or computer become aware, conscious of itself, thus alive, and thinking?
Much of this is philosophical, a case in point that some ask the question back, frankly; are humans really thinking or merely answering stimuli in a very predictable way?
Recently, there has been some top scientists and computer engineers in the field suggesting that mankind in their search for a thinking computer, true intelligence, has moved in the wrong direction, and that a neural network, which will be described as a different configuration could be right, something much less dissimilar from what sort of Internet works where each point might do many calculations or various sorts.
Then there is another group insisting that true artificial intelligence needs the opportunity to forget as a way to work correctly so it doesn't exhibit schizophrenic behavior (which was observed by the way), plus the power 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 to be artificially intelligent driven is not actually aware, it isn't really thinking, and even though it might pass the Turing Test; to be able to fool a human into believing it's actually a real person they may be talking too. And yet, I'd suggest a true thinking computer would be able to look at the reverse, and realize whether it really is conversing with a genuine human or actually talking to another computer.
Perhaps in the foreseeable future dozens of lines will end up so blurred regarding increase the risk for Turing Test irrelevant?
Indeed, there have been entire chains of AI computers which speak to each other in Internet Forums. It's as though this is a conversation between 2 different people, nevertheless the dialogue is totally shallow, and no original thinking really, although some people might in the responses are interesting, some laughable, but humans too make stupid remarks often enough and something only needs to surf Facebook for 5-minutes to see that.
Will computers ever be in a position to think? Well, assuming you mean; just how humans think, the solution is yes, eventually.
Currently, it appears the Turing Test may be achieved, however ask is that the real test or threshold we should be considering. It is my thought that not only will AI become aware, however it will out think humans by combining good all possible, likewise modified humans, "transhumans" if you will, coupled to computer devices will perform precisely the same, and that my friends is simply couple of time. So, please consider all of this and think into it.