Cody Kimball
Webmaster
An advancement in artificial intelligence (and possibly the doom of us all, depending on what science fiction films you watch) has manifested itself in a web program called “Cleverbot.”
Currently the program has benevolent applications as a means of entertainment. Cleverbot, for all intensive purposes, is a computer that tries to hold a conversation with whoever types to it, through various learned responses. It is a variation of another program called “jabberwacky.” Both programs are designed to provide entertainment and “companionship.”
Be cautious how you interact with Cleverbot. Its responses can often be random and confusing, and possibly even offensive. Your “conversations” can be easily derailed. That could be why it is so entertaining.
The website possibly explains it best: “Cleverbot is an entertainment – not made to be logical, give advice, or be useful. Many people keep talking for hours, and say it’s too clever to be a bot – that it must be human. Yet it never is: it is a bot.”
The Cleverbot can even be downloaded as an application for 99 cents. That way when you’re on your phone, you can talk to someone. Oh, wait.