Can a machine behave like a person? This question underlies artificial intelligence (AI), the study of intelligent behaviour in machines.

Today there are two types of AIs: Sentient and non-sentient. Sentient means ‘aware of your own existence’ and it is generally regarded as a good sign of intelligence. Humans all fall into this category.

The Turing Test is the universally accepted way of splitting the Robo-Einstein from the traffic robot.

Created by the mathematical genius Alan Turing, the test works as follows: A reasonably intelligent human is placed in front of a keyboard and screen and uses these to talk to the machine. If the human thinks it is actually talking to another human, then the machine can be described as sentient.

These robots are known as chatterbots and can be found on the Internet in IRC (Internet Relay Chat) chat rooms.

Passing the Turing Test has been an unfulfilled goal for programmers. The emphasis is on rather creating an AI that is specialised in a particular field. Working within the boundaries of these fields, these AIs are often more advanced than humans.

• An in-depth look at the Turing Test 
• Meet HAL – he is an 18-month old chatterbot. Read all about his upbringing and then chat to him for a wee bit. He’s quite an interesting character!
• “A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.” Sound familiar? It’s Asimov’s First Law of Robotics and it’s been instated by Japan. Read more...
• Ten years ago today an IBM computer defeated the reigning World Chess Champion in a serious match played under controlled conditions. Read about Kasparov vs. Deep Blue.