Artificial intelligence

Hubert L. Dreyfus

pp. 279-293

in: Joseph Agassi, Science and culture, Berlin, Springer, 2003

Abstract

The issue of Daedalus, Journal of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Winter 1988, is labeled Artificial Intelligence — AI, for short. It is always interesting to observe the official position of the intellectual establishment on intellectual matters, especially where much grant allocation is concentrated. AI was initially a program, perhaps a mere vision. It was the idea of a computer able to emulate human intelligence in all respects, including the ability to acquire language and to contribute to art and science. The American research establishment officially adopted the vision. This issue of Daedalus announces the demise of this official recognition. In a quiet revolution in the field, partial AI systems — expert systems — are replacing AI proper.