Now that computer wizards are cracking open the door on Artificial Intelligence,
can Artificial Emotions be far behind?
-------------------------------John Gibson, Boston
Not at all. In fact, computer programmers have obviously been utilizing
artificial emotions for years. As with all extremely left-brained people,
computer programmers have a much greater handle on their brains than on their
hearts. So they've had to come up with a substitute for real emotion when
social needs demanded it. For example, when a programmer's steady says he has
nice eyes, he has to say more than "That is correct." Artificial emotion
programs -- contained in tiny ROM capsules that plug in to the pons RS-232, a
gland at the base of the brain -- provide a range of realistic human responses.
They range from "Thank you" to "You have nice eyes, too." Over time, science
expects these responses will become more varied and imaginative with new content
provider programs. Time will tell.
