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As a programmer, I agree that computers can mimic the human thinking process [TECHNOLOGY, March 25], but I disagree that they have a consciousness similar to ours. When our thoughts are quieted (as when meditating), we experience pure consciousness. If a computer's "thoughts" are quieted, it becomes inert and has the consciousness of a rock. Also, unlike most of us, computers are unable to create original "thoughts"--all their "thoughts" are based on previous ones. We humans, through our consciousness, are able to have original ideas that have little or nothing to do with our past experience. MORTON BECKLEY Cape Town
The problem with artificial intelligence is that it is artificial. It will remain so and will never be like the real thing. It is just like artificial honey or artificial wine. If, along with matter and energy, information was counted as a basic building block, we could enhance man's understanding of nature and reconcile theology with science in many ways. It can be shown that even in mathematics, the number of problems that can be formulated is indefinite. There are always questions left to be answered, and there is always room for God. PETER FISCHER Bremen, Germany Via E-mail
Would a machine be able to think about the question Can humans think? CHRYSTELLE GARSON Westmount, Quebec
If machines can think, either we are just machines or thinking is not what defines us as human beings. I wish theologians would take this to heart and stop attributing divine qualities to what most animals and even a few machines are able to do. ANDREW STENGEL Durban, South Africa Via E-mail
From my personal theological experience, I think it is problematic to ascribe human attributes to things that are not human. If two computer personalities like the ones being developed, Cog and CYC, were connected and left alone for 24 hours, would they initiate and carry on a meaningful conversation? What would they talk about? Would they need a translator? Are computers able to scheme and then justify their scheming? If computers acquire a brain or a mind, might they develop a psychosis? I shudder to reflect that computer creators will someday develop both good-think and bad-think machines that will go to war, imitating their human creators. ALAN RICHES Halifax, Nova Scotia
With advancements in technology, you will soon get artificial intelligence and eventually consciousness, but you will never get a computer to fall in love. To do so would be irrational and stupid. But it's wonderful. BEN SOUROUJON Mexico City Via E-mail
I read your article with some amusement and considerable skepticism. The human brain--mind, soul, consciousness--is molded and shaped by the environment to which it is exposed from birth to death. I can just imagine the hard drive of my office computer coming to life after working hours and carrying on conversations and relationships with the other computers. Should I be prepared for an infant computer beeping gleefully beside its mother some morning? This reminds me of the fantasy stories I used to tell my daughter about how her dolls came to life and had fun after the lights went out at night. I daresay the lights were out when this article was written. PAMELA HENDERSON Riverview, New Brunswick Via E-mail