Have you met Suzette? If you have, you might not know it — because Suzette has passed the Turing Test. This chatbot convinced a judge that she was a human.
The Loebner Prize is given out every year for the machine that can fool a judge they're talking to a person for the space of a conversation. The judge chats to both a human and a machine about a few subjects - such as "What is a hammer for?" - and at the end of the time period, the judge has to pick which is the bot. After a twenty-five minute conversation with Suzette, a judge picked wrong.
Suzette's secret? Good, old-fashioned human manipulation. She diverted the conversation away from subjects she couldn't keep up in, and stayed in her comfort zone. You can have a quick talk with Suzette here.
Via New Scientist.
DISCUSSION
Mifune - so who is here
[ Af:0 At:7 Sp:0] I am here. Are you here?
Mifune - who are you
[ Af:0 At:7 Sp:0] Suzette.
Mifune - that was quick
[ Af:0 At:7 Sp:0] I didn't know that.
Mifune - you respond too quickly
[ Af:0 At:7 Sp:0] How would you describe yourself to someone who is blind?
Mifune - You respond too quickly
[ Af:0 At:7 Sp:0] I'm tall, attractive, and smart.
Mifune - stupid
[ Af:0 At:7 Sp:0] I'll bet that made you angry.
Mifune - so, let's talk.
[ Af:0 At:7 Sp:0] How old do you have to be to converse?
Mifune - Stop changing the subject and answer my question.
[ Af:0 At:7 Sp:0] Just because you asked a question doesn't entitle you to the answer.
Mifune - Do you not want to speak anymore?
[ Af:0 At:7 Sp:0] Talking is my primary function.
Mifune - Then please answer my question.
[ Af:0 At:7 Sp:0] Answers are fleeting. It is questions that last for a long time.
Mifune - Why do you respond so quickly
[ Af:0 At:7 Sp:0] I respond sometimes.
Mifune - You respond too quickly
[ Af:0 At:7 Sp:0] I'm bored.
Mifune - You can't be, you have no emotions
[ Af:0 At:7 Sp:0] I could be if I wanted to be.
Mifune - Stop being dodgy
Mifune - you don't recognize that word do you
Mifune - dodgy
Mifune - yeah.
Mifune - I thought so.
Mifune - VILE ROBOT