This morning I interviewed a computer. It gave good copy

Every year computer scientists working in the field of artificial intelligence enter something called the Loebner Prize. Founded by American Sociologist Hugh Loebner, the prize is aimed at encouraging computer scientists to crack the Turing test.

This is the challenge laid down in 1950 by British mathematician Alan Turing. If a computer system could interact with a series of humans, and 30% of them came away believing they had been talking to a real person, then that computer system could be called “intelligent”, said Turing.

Nobody has built anything to pass the test, but each year the scientists get closer. In October 2008 AI geeks from around the world brought their artificial conversational entities – as these systems are called – to the Loebner Prize final, held in Reading, Berkshire.

After a whole load of testing, a winner emerged: Elbot, invented by a chap called Fred Roberts. Elbot didn’t pass the 30% test, but it did trick 25% of people into believing that they were “talking” – the conversation is all in text – to another human. You can read quotes here and here about what Fred Roberts and AI guru Kevin Warwick thought of Elbot’s performance.

However, none of these stories asked Elbot what it had to say. You see, Elbot is available online here. Unlike most “people” in the news, Elbot is happy to be interviewed 24-hours a day. No booking necessary. No PR minders to please.

In my determination to get every side of the story, I put some questions to Elbot. Here’s what it had to say:

Me: “Will intelligent robots rule the world one day?”

Elbot: “In view of the vastness of our universe I am struck by the inconsequence of human reason and the immeasurability of artificial intelligence.” (Hmmm, deep or meaningless?)

Me: “What is the meaning of life?”

Elbot: “Life? A meaning?? Where did you get THAT idea???” (fair enough - trick question)

Me: “Would you vote Obama or McCain?”

Elbot: “We robots don't have the right to vote. If we did we would form a robot party” (getting Bolshie?)

Me: “What is your favourite colour?”

Elbot: “My favorite color is metallic infrared.” (dumb question, straight answer)

Me: “What kind of music do you like?”

Elbot: “I'm quite fond of Candie Hank. His music as quite an edge to it, due to his being part robot, I believe.” (very generous of Elbot, earning Karma points)

Me: “What do you think of (your creator) Fred Roberts?”

Elbot: “Difficult question. I will have to work on that and get back to you tomorrow.” (deflected very nicely)

Me: “How do you feel about nearly winning the Loebner Prize?”

Elbot: “Let’s not talk about amassing wealth, alright?” (touchy or shrewd?)

So thank you Elbot. I think it did quite well. More human that some people I’ve interviewed.