How much time until computers can certainly reason, adapt, think, problem solve, tell stories, and understand and create humor? They are all questions which computer scientists taking care of artificial intelligence systems programming and theory are wondering today. When does a machine, or laptop or computer become aware, mindful of itself, thus alive, and thinking?
Point about this is philosophical, so much so that some wonder in reverse, frankly; are humans really thinking or merely addressing stimuli really predictable way?
Recently, there are some top scientists and computer engineers within the field suggesting that mankind as part of his look for a thinking computer, true intelligence, has moved from the wrong direction, which a neural network, which would be described as a very different configuration could be more appropriate, something less than 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 in order to work effectively so it doesn't exhibit schizophrenic behavior (which has been observed incidentally), along with 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 to be artificially intelligent driven isn't really aware, it isn't really really thinking, even though it may pass the Turing Test; to be able to fool a person's into believing it's really a real person these are talking too. But, I'd advise a true thinking computer could think about the reverse, and realize whether or not it is talking to a true human or speaking with another computer.
Perhaps in the foreseeable future dozens of lines will become so blurred regarding make Turing Test irrelevant?
Indeed, there are entire chains of AI computers which talk with the other person in Internet Forums. It appears as though this is a conversation between two different people, however the dialogue is completely shallow, and no original thinking really, although some people might from the responses are interesting, some laughable, but humans too make stupid remarks often enough and one only needs to surf Facebook for 5-minutes to view that.
Will computers be in a position to think? Well, assuming you mean; the way in which humans think, the reply is yes, eventually.
Currently, it appears the Turing Test may be achieved, on the other hand ask is that the real test or threshold you should be considering. It's my belief that not only can AI become aware, but it will out think humans by combining the best of all possible worlds, likewise modified humans, "transhumans" if you'll, coupled to computer devices will do precisely the same, which my friends is simply matter of time. So, please consider this all and think onto it.