> I remember a discussion in the mid-eighties about the future of artificial intelligence in which for some reason I was asked to participate. The advocates of

> I remember a discussion in the mid-eighties about the future of artificial intelligence in which for some reason I was asked to participate. The advocates of what was then called “hard A.I.,” to the dismay of their opponents, were painting a triumphalist picture of the future of computer intelligence. As the discussion went on, all semblance of logical argument was given up. Eventually, everyone realized that Jack had not said a word, and all faces turned toward him. “Well,” he said after a pause, “some of these developments may lie one hundred Nobel prizes away.” His felicitous remark had a calming effect. The A.I. people felt they were being granted the scientific standing they craved, and their opponents felt vindicated by Jack’s assertion. - Gian-Carlo Rota