Ever since Charles Babbage first built his Analytical Engine in 1837, humans have tried to invent ways to get machines to think for them. The first generation of computers could calculate the results of complicated mathematical problems, but they could only provide the answer to a question. They weren't capable of telling the user if the question was right or wrong. The second generation of computers now had operating systems, and the ability to store programs, but their capabilities didn't exceed their predecessor's in being able to tell their users if they were on the right track. As Moore's law marches on and computers become exponentially more capable (and smaller) the concept and possibilities of Artificial Intelligence become increasingly more plausible.

Or do they? Intelligence is the ability to acquire and APPLY knowledge and skills. Can a computer do that? Many believe that intelligence without reason is not intelligence. Can a computer be intelligent if it has to be programmed to reason? Can a computer develop through a programmed ability to adapt its own programming an artificial (but effective) ability to reason? Movies have gone a long way towards making AI look not only possible in the near future, some have convinced us that it already exists.

Computer programmers (AKA Coders) tell computers what to do, how to do it, and what to do if they can't. The greater the resources available to Coders, the more powerful their creations can be. The idea of creating a viable AI is on the mind's of many Coders, and the technology companies they work for. Apple's Siri, Amazon's Echo, and Microsoft's Cortana want to be your own personal AI. Having used them, do you feel that they qualify as an AI?

There is great excitement at the possibility, but also great fear of the advent of true AI. Read the following article, and then discuss AI with your classmates. Consider some of the prompts below the article as conversation starters.

Benefits and Risks of Artificial Intelligence (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

1) What are your thoughts on the concept of Artificial Intelligence? Good or bad?

2) Give an example (other than Siri, Echo, or Cortana) of Artificial Intelligence that you've seen, read about, heard about, or seen on TV/Movies that you think could be beneficial to society.

3) Same as #2, but an AI that would be detrimental to society?

4) Can a computer be truly intelligent if it must be programmed to think?

5) Should we be dedicating the time, and resources to inventing technology to replace human thinking?

6) What benefits would true AI have for the future of education?