Read the short story "Evidence" from I, Robot. Then write an essay answering the question below. I expect approximately 3-4 pages. Your essay may be shorter or longer as you see fit, as long as you answer the question fully.

Both our experience in this course as well as Asimov's robots that follow the Three Laws suggest that robots are essentially mindless automata that might simulate the results of thinking without actually thinking. In the words of philosopher Blaise Pascal, who invented an early mechanical adding machine, "The adding-machine produces effects closer to thought than anything done by the animals, but it does nothing to justify the assertion that it has a will like the animals."

However, in "Evidence" we are presented with a robot that is remarkably human-like. Computer science pioneer Alan Turing asserted that if a computer could fool a human into thinking that it was itself human, that it must be intelligent in the same sense that a human being is. This is his famous "Turing Test".

Write an essay in which you assess whether the robot described in "Evidence" ought to be considered "human". In particular, focus on whether that robot ought to have all of the rights that society conventionally grants to human beings. Be sure to discuss what you consider to be the appropriate criteria for classifying a robot as a "person". Give specific examples from the story and from your experience programming robots in this course to support your position. Pay particular attention to the ability of the robot from Lab 8 to find the line, avoid obstacles, and follow moving objects. Also feel free to include other evidence that you consider pertinent. In your conclusion, state whether you think Pascal or Turing had a better case to make with regard to artificial intelligence. Feel free to do some research to learn more about the Turing Test if you believe it would strengthen your argument.

Due: Monday, April 23 at 5 pm.