The importance of the Turing Test
First of all, there is a need to point out that the Turing Test was created to determine artificial intelligence of the machine. In other words, the original aim of test creation was to understand whether the machine can think or no. Oppy Graham and Dowe David (2011) are of the opinion that, “The phrase The Turing Test is sometimes used more generally to refer to some kinds of behavioural tests for the presence of mind, or thought, or intelligence in putatively minded entities” (para. 2).
While investigating artificial intelligence, one is to determine the basic aims of the test. So, the primary goals are to understand the nature of the process of thinking, and the ways intelligent entities are built. While analyzing human intelligence in relation to the Turing Test, one is to determine the functions, the degree they are fulfilled, and the ways these functions are carried out.
Machine learning, automated reasoning, knowledge representation, and natural language processing are the required capabilities to succeed in passing the test. Objective idea of intelligence is considered to be the most important advantage of the test. Tyler Cowen and Michelle Dawson (2009) state that, “To pass the test, the machine has to be intelligent but it also should be responsive in a manner which cannot be distinguished from a human being” (p. 1).
While speaking about thinking humanly, one is to keep in mind the so-called cognitive science approach. In other words, this approach should reflect the way the human mind works and the process computer systems should reflect such work. So, computer is to mimic human intellect. Thinking rationally is another approach, which is to be discussed. This includes logic and main obstacles. The last category means “informal knowledge translating into logical notation” (“Artificial Intelligence”, n.d., p. 20).
Stuart M. Shieber (2006) is of the opinion that, “the Turing Test is founded on the idea that ability to produce sensible verbal behavior is an indication of intelligence” (p. 1).
The ways to improve the test
While speaking about the ways the Turing Test can be improved, one is to remember that logic programming, machine learning, and cognitive compatibility are the basic positions the Turing Test is based on. In my opinion, the most important improvement, which can be made, is to adapt the artificial intellect to human beings’ process of thinking.
So, in other words, the machine is to contact with the persons and to mimic their behavior. Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari (2000) are sure that, “With current advances in computer graphics, virtual reality, biomechanics and many other fields, it is possible to create an Enhanced or Virtual Turing test” (para 6.1).
Generally, I suppose that the improvements depend upon the development of new technologies. Unfortunately, “knowledge-based systems, though they have achieved marketable engineering successes, still have many limitations in the quality and generality of their reasoning” (“Al: Early History and Applications”, n.d., para. 80).
The tasks the Turing Test consists of can be also improved. For instance, taking into account Mundane tasks (perception, natural language, common sense reasoning, and robot control); one can state that there are the constituents of the tasks, which could be improved.
Thus, natural language is based on understanding, generation, and translation; so, these constituents may include some new improved features, in order artificial intelligence could be developed in a proper way. Formal tasks (games, mathematics) and expert tasks (engineering, scientific analysis, medical diagnosis, and financial analysis) must be also improved. However, it is necessary to remember that all the improvements depend upon new technologies development.
References
Al: Early History and Applications. The Turing Test. Web.
Artificial Intelligence. CS 4633/6633 Artificial Intelligence. Web.
Cowen, T. & Dawson, M. (2009). What Does the Turing Test Really Mean? And How Many Human Beings (Including Turing) Could Pass? Web.
Deleuze, G. & Guattari, F. (2000). Everything is a Machine. Web.
Oppy, G. & Dowe, D. (2011). The Turing Test. Web.
Shieber, S. (2009). Does the Turing Test Demonstrate Intelligence or Not? Web.