John McCarthy

Computer Science American 1927 – 2011 412 quotes

Coined term 'artificial intelligence', created Lisp

Quotes by John McCarthy

A computer program is a precise description of a process.

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The more you try to control a system, the more unpredictable it becomes.

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AI is not just about making machines that can solve problems, it's about making machines that can discover problems.

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The only way to make a computer truly powerful is to make it simple.

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Lisp is the language of choice for AI research because it's so flexible.

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The problem with AI is that it's too expensive.

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A computer is a tool for amplifying human creativity.

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The more you learn about AI, the more you realize how little we know.

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AI is not just about making machines that can act intelligently, it's about making machines that can be intelligent.

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The only way to make a computer truly reliable is to make it redundant.

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Lisp is the language of choice for hackers because it's so powerful.

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The problem with AI is that it's too complex.

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The problem of consciousness is not just a problem for philosophers; it's a problem for computer scientists as well.

Various talks and writings

We want to make machines that are intelligent. We don't care if they are conscious or not.

Various talks and writings

The ultimate goal of AI is to make machines that can think, learn, and create.

Various talks and writings

The purpose of AI is to understand intelligence itself, and to build machines that can exhibit it.

Various talks and writings

AI is not just about making machines that can do what humans do, but about making machines that can do what humans can't.

Various talks and writings

The human condition is one of constant learning and adaptation. AI can help us to do that more effectively.

Various talks and writings

The future of humanity is intertwined with the future of AI.

Various talks and writings

Truth in AI is about building systems that can reason correctly and make accurate predictions.

Various talks and writings