> Computer Chess programs appear immensely intelligent, and we subscribe forethought and intentions to them, but in reality they are just algorithms. What do y

> Computer Chess programs appear immensely intelligent, and we subscribe forethought and intentions to them, but in reality they are just algorithms. What do you mean by "just algorithms"? For anything that does anything, what is the alternative to being an algorithm? It seems that most if not all algorithms we come in contact with in IT are easily recognizable as "just algorithms" merely because their complexity is very low and so our brains can easily extract the invariants, operational principles and patterns of behavior. I'd risk the conjecture that sufficiently complex algorithm with the right features would appear to us as intelligent, emotionally developed and subtle as any human being. It seems to be just a matter of relative complexity with the right features. If not that, then what? Your derision of AI seems to hinge on nothing more than relative complexity of your brain to it :-)