Will Computers of the Future be able to Think
... Einstein was able to learn, to be programmed in a sense, but he was able to have random thoughts, as well, that allowed him to be innovative. A computer program does not have this ability to think at present and, I believe, it never will in the future. What sets humans apart from everything else is our ability to use our imaginations and to think ahead. A computer can appear to think, but in reality it is just following instructions. ... The question is, can a computer think? ... Artificial Intelligence is the study of how to make computers do things which, at the moment, people do better. Weak Artificial Intelligence is considered to be able to simulate intelligence, whereas strong Artificial Intelligence claims that a computer can not only simulate the mind, but can also duplicate it. We can accept weak Artificial Intelligence as we already have computers that can appear to understand what is asked of it. ... We are able to distinguish where all our data has come from and how to interpret it. ... Humans have consciousness and only by being conscious can one have an understanding, viewpoint, and opinion of the world and be able to generate feelings and sensations. Computers run from a program and they never venture from it. ... Even in the future a computer will never be able to think. ... No matter how complicated and detailed a computer program may become, it will never be able to duplicate our brain and our minds. ... We depend on computers to be logical when we ourselves cannot.