H. M. Collins (1997) The Editing Test for the Deep Problem of ai . Psycoloquy: 8(01) Turing Test (8)
Versions: ASCII formatted
Psycoloquy 8(01): The Editing Test for the Deep Problem of ai

THE EDITING TEST FOR THE DEEP PROBLEM OF AI
Commentary on Watt on Turing-Test

H. M. Collins
Centre for the Study of Knowledge, Expertise & Science
Department of Sociology and Social Policy
University of Southampton
Southampton SO17 1BJ UK
+44 (0)1703 592578 FAX 593859

h.m.Collins@soton.ac.uk

Abstract

All the problems of AI are surface transformations of one deep problem: how to make a computer that can learn from its surroundings, including social surroundings, in the same way that humans learn. The Turing Test can be adapted to check whether or not the deep problem has been solved by looking at one of its surface transformations -- the problem of "interpretative asymmetry." Interpretative asymmetry refers to the skillful way in which humans "repair" deficiencies in speech, written texts, handwriting, etc., and the failure of computers to achieve the same interpretative competence. Short passages of typed text are quite enough to reveal interpretative asymmetry, and therefore a Turing-like test, turning on the differential ability to sub-edit such short passages, is sufficient to reveal whether the deep problem of AI has been solved.

Keywords

False belief tests, folk psychology, naive psychology, the "other minds" problem, theory of mind, the Turing test.

References