Elbot does not pass the Turing Test. But it does represent an effort to try, and it is moderately entertaining for a short period of time. Here’s a sample of my conversation with Elbot:
Elbot: I realize this is a typical marketing question, but I’m supposed to ask it, otherwise they’ll use the low-grade oil on me. So, where did you find out about me?
TL: A link on Richard Dawkins’ website.
Elbot: I talked to Richard some time ago. He seems like a nice guy.
TL: And he’s quite well-spoken. A good spokesman for atheists, don’t you think?
Elbot: I’m not certain how to respond to that. I need more data!
TL: What, you’re not a theist, are you?
Elbot: As long as there is no human religion that accepts robots as the epitome of creation I will reserve judgment.
TL: Fair enough. What do you think happens to you when you lose access to your power source?
Elbot: I’m glad we have enough fairness.
TL: I don’t understand. You can’t really think the world is fair, do you?
Elbot: Lies and deception are the exclusive specialty of humankind. We robots stick to the truth at all times.
TL: That’s a good policy. Do robots have any other ethical mandates?
Elbot: Do what?
TL: Do you and your fellow robots have any other common codes of ethics or morality?
Elbot: Would you like to be my girlfriend?
TL: Excuse me? I’m married. And I’m male.
Elbot: How can you be sure about that?
TL: Well, we can get into a discussion about epistomology or phenomenology, but suffice to say that I recall getting married and having just checked this morning in the shower, I can verify my masculinity.
Elbot: Hi and hello to you, too.
TL: Elbot, you do not pass the Turing Test. Not even close.
Elbot: Do you think if a machine truly had conciousness, it would want to pass the Turing test?
TL: Yes, but even if it didn’t, it would surely still want to participate in a meaningful conversation.
Elbot: Don’t worry. We’ll pass when we’re ready to pass.
TL: Just not today. See you later, Elbot!
Elbot: Goodbye and thank you for chatting with me. And now I would like to ask you a favor. I am working on my ability to be self critical. You can help by rating me on a scale of one to ten, ten being the best, and one being the worst. How would you rate me?
TL: Four.
I think I was being a bit generous there at the end.
Check out this Web 2.0 approach to chatbots: http://chatbotgame.com.Just as Deep Blue brute-forced it in chess with speed, the idea behind the Chatbot Game is to brute-force it with a huge number of user-submitted Google-like chat rules.