The Turing Option

“But that’s only a trick to convince someone that the machine is a person. It still doesn’t give us a definition of intelligence.”

“True enough, but that was precisely Turing’s point. There’s really no need to have a definition and, in fact, we really don’t want one. You can’t define things, but only words. We tend to call someone intelligent if we think that they’re good at solving problems, or learning new skills, or doing what other people do. After all, the only reason we consider other people to be intelligent is that they behave intellectually like human beings.”

“But couldn’t something be intelligent and yet think completely different from a person? Like maybe a porpoise or an elephant?”

“Certainly — and you can call them intelligent if you want to. But for me, the word intelligence is just a handle to describe all the things I wish I were better at — and everything I’d like our future AI to do. The trouble is that I don’t know just what those are yet. The reason for using those terminals is simply that it shouldn’t matter what the thing looks like, so long as it responds to all questions asked, with answers that cannot be told from those of another person. Sorry about the lecture, for telling you what you already know. But I am developing an AI to pass that test. So my question is — would you like to help?”

For the first time since they had been talking Shelly lost her composure, was more woman than military officer. Her eyes had widened while Brian spoke and she touched her fingertips to her chin, shaking her head slightly with disbelief. “I hear what you are saying — though it sounds both completely impossible — and incredibly exciting. Do you mean to say that you are working on a machine that I would recognize as intelligent?”

“He is,” Ben said firmly. “I can assure you that a real AI has been designed and that it will be built.”

“If that is the case, then I do want to be part of it! This is such a momentous and important development that there is no question in my mind.” She frowned. “Are there many others applying for the post?”

“I’m seeing someone else tomorrow,” Ben said. “That’s the entire list.”

“I am sure that I can control my impatience for a while. But if you will let me help, there is something I can do to be of assistance right now.”

“We won’t be able to get into the lab for some time yet,” Brian said.

“That’s not what I mean. I’m talking about the overall security matter.” She turned to Ben. “That report you showed me of the theft — is it complete?”

“I took out all the references to artificial intelligence. Other than that, yes, it’s complete.”

“I don’t mean that. I’m referring to the investigation of the crime. Do you know who was in charge of it?”

“I certainly do. Me. I can guarantee that that part of the report is complete.”

“And since the theft and Brian’s being shot — there have been two other threats on his life?”

“That is correct.”

“Then it seems to me that solving the crime should take top priority.”

Benicoff did not know whether to laugh — or be insulted. “You do realize that I am in charge of the investigation? That I have been working on it full-time for some months?”

“Sir, please don’t misunderstand! I was not denigrating your efforts — just offering to help.”

“And how will you do that?”

“By writing an Expert Program with only one aim in mind. To solve this crime.”

Benicoff dropped back into his chair and rubbed his jaw in silence for a moment — then nodded happily. “Captain — my thanks. I have been very, very dumb about this. I don’t intend to be in the future. How soon can you transfer here?”

“I’m part of a team. They are very good and I know that they’ll be able to carry on without me. I could be here in a day or two. I’ll first have to make some notes of developments that I am working on so they’ll have that input. Then, as long as they can contact me in the future, I could transfer here almost immediately. The end of this week if you want. The work there is important — but not as important as this. If you would let me I would like to develop this Expert Program for you. And keep myself available for further work on the AI. Is that agreeable?”

“Perfect. I’ll organize all the material so you can access it at once. And I’m going to kick myself around the block for not thinking of it myself. An investigation like this one is mostly a dumb, boring, sorting of facts and running down endless leads. Which is a job for a computer — not for a human being.”

“I couldn’t agree more. I’ll be back as soon as I can. And thank you again for asking me.”

They stood when she did, shook hands, watched her leave — as did the marine guard who allowed only his eyes to follow her.

“She is one hundred percent right about that program to solve the Megalobe crime,” Brian said. “If we can get my first AI back it will make my job an awful lot easier.”

“Your job will be a lot easier if you stay alive. I want to stop the attacks — and solve the case.”

“When you put it that way — I agree.”