Question

Can computers think? Will they ever be able to think? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Yes, computers can think, but the actual question should be if they can think on their own and if they can think for themselves. Once we consider all available information, we can say that the state of machine learning represents different paradigms where the computer can think for itself and get better, but it is contained within our understanding and control. In a way, we can say that they can think, but not for themselves, or they can think but they are not sentient. Yes, with the current state of technology, rate of development and the cost that is being utilized to develop better artificial intelligence technology, it is possible that we will be able to create a system that can think for itself as a human would but, it is not possible in the near future. In fact, the development of such a system would require computing power that would not be available or accessible to us for some decades. It is, therefore, a highly subjective topic. It is not science fiction, like in the movies, rather it is a form of evolution, like human beings experienced from neanderthals. The aspect of interaction with external systems brought about collective intelligence and therefore, a system could be developed with this assumption but the power required to back up the creation of such a system is years away.

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