Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Turing Test
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Early artificial intelligence research needed a way to talk concretely about whether machines could be said to “think.” Alan Mathison Turing, a foundational figure in computer science, proposed an operational criterion rather than a philosophical debate: if a machine could hold a text-based conversation that a human evaluator could not reliably distinguish from a human interlocutor, the machine could be considered intelligent for practical purposes. This idea became widely known as the Turing Test.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The Turing Test frames intelligence as observable behavior in conversation. The evaluator interacts via text-only channels to avoid bias from appearance or voice. If the evaluator cannot reliably tell which participant is the machine, the machine is said to have passed the test in that setting. This avoids metaphysical questions and emphasizes measurable performance—a theme that influences many modern AI benchmarks.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Verification / Alternative check:
Decades of AI history cite the Imitation Game (1950) as the origin of the Turing Test. Contemporary discussions of AI capability often refer back to this behavioral standard, even as more specialized benchmarks have proliferated.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Common Pitfalls:
Confusing the Turing Test with general problem-solving ability or assuming it involves speech, vision, or robotics; the original proposal used text-only interaction.
Final Answer:
Turing Test
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