Artificial intelligence can perform certain tasks better than most people. For instance, it can create images of cats in space suits or excel in standardized tests covering school curricula. However, heated debates continue regarding whether these language models are truly intelligent or merely replicate previously learned information. Here’s a brief overview of how seemingly intelligent machines emerged throughout human history.
Around 75 AD: The Greek mathematician Hero of Alexandria creates statues that automatically pour wine in temples, which are presented to worshippers as divine acts.
1769: In Austria, Wolfgang von Kempelen unveils a chess-playing automaton known as the "Turk"—a machine in the shape of a box that actually housed a short (as believed) chess player. It is said that the "Turk" defeated both Ben Franklin and Napoleon.
1939: A talking and cigarette-smoking robot named Elektro makes an appearance at the New York World's Fair. However, the words it utters were pre-recorded, and it required a human to clear its "lungs" of tar.
1965: Joseph Weizenbaum's ELIZA becomes an early version of a computer psychotherapist. Some found this chatbot quite convincing, but in reality, ELIZA only provided standard responses such as: “Do you think you have psychological problems?” and “Tell me more about that.”