The Coming Superbrain – The Future of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence, once the preserve of science fiction writers and eccentric computer prodigies, is back in fashion and getting serious attention from NASA and from Silicon Valley companies like Google as well as a new round of start-ups that are designing everything from next-generation search engines to machines that listen or that are capable of walking around in the world. A.I.’s new respectability is turning the spotlight back on the question of where the technology might be heading and, more ominously, perhaps, whether computer intelligence will surpass our own, and how quickly.

By JOHN MARKOFF

Full Story: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/weekinreview/24markoff.html?_r=1