The Turing Test is in no danger

This entry was published at least two years ago (originally posted on September 20, 2002). Since that time the information may have become outdated or my beliefs may have changed (in general, assume a more open and liberal current viewpoint). A fuller disclaimer is available.

Just some fun wordplay, from this MeFi thread dealing with AI, language, and other such goodies.
Some English sentences likely to trip up any AI program attempting to understand them:

  • We gave the monkeys the bananas because they were hungry.
    We gave the monkeys the bananas because they were ripe.

    How do you determine what object ‘they’ refers to in each sentence?

  • It’s hard to recognize speech.
    It’s hard to wreck a nice beach.

    Say these two aloud.

  • Visiting relatives can be boring.

    One sentence, two ways to understand it.

  • We saw her duck.

    Three meanings (the least obvious involves a serrated blade).

  • Time flies like an arrow.
    Fruit flies like a banana.

    With thanks to Groucho Marx, I believe.