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ELIZA inventor Joseph Weizenbaum dies
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EE Times: Latest News
IT pioneer Joseph Weizenbaum dies
Christoph Hammerschmidt
EE Times Europe
(03/07/2008 4:35 AM EST)
MUNICH, Germany × Computer pioneer and philosopher Joseph Weizenbaum (85)
has died in Berlin. The scientist and MIT professor emeritus was known for
his critical position towards the impact of information technology to
society.
Born in Berlin to Jewish parents, Weizenbaum had emigrated in 1936 to the
United States. After having contributed to the development of the first
analog computers and participating in the design of the first digital
computers for banking applications, Weizenbaum in 1963 took a position at
the Massachussetts Institute of Technology (MIT); from 1970 he was
professor for computer science. Among his major achievements were studies
over the SLIP programming language and research on basic software
technologies which today are in widespread use such as garbage collection
algorithms.
One of his most influential works was the development of the natural
language processor ELIZA which is said to be one of the early
breakthroughs for Artificial Intelligence. In this context, he developed a
program simulating a conversation between a physician and a patient.
Shocked over the fact that many test series participants were unable to
determine they in fact were communicating with a computer and openly
divulged most intimate details of their life, Weizenbaum developed a more
critical and reserved posture towards information technologies and turned
into an inconvenient admonisher. He co-founded the Computer Professionals
for Social Responsibility group. Until his death, he also was Chairman of
the Scientific Institute of Electronic Business in Berlin.
In 1996, Weizenbaum moved to Berlin. On March 5, he died in consequence of
apoplexy.
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IT pioneer Joseph Weizenbaum dies
Christoph Hammerschmidt
EE Times Europe
(03/07/2008 4:35 AM EST)
MUNICH, Germany × Computer pioneer and philosopher Joseph Weizenbaum (85)
has died in Berlin. The scientist and MIT professor emeritus was known for
his critical position towards the impact of information technology to
society.
Born in Berlin to Jewish parents, Weizenbaum had emigrated in 1936 to the
United States. After having contributed to the development of the first
analog computers and participating in the design of the first digital
computers for banking applications, Weizenbaum in 1963 took a position at
the Massachussetts Institute of Technology (MIT); from 1970 he was
professor for computer science. Among his major achievements were studies
over the SLIP programming language and research on basic software
technologies which today are in widespread use such as garbage collection
algorithms.
One of his most influential works was the development of the natural
language processor ELIZA which is said to be one of the early
breakthroughs for Artificial Intelligence. In this context, he developed a
program simulating a conversation between a physician and a patient.
Shocked over the fact that many test series participants were unable to
determine they in fact were communicating with a computer and openly
divulged most intimate details of their life, Weizenbaum developed a more
critical and reserved posture towards information technologies and turned
into an inconvenient admonisher. He co-founded the Computer Professionals
for Social Responsibility group. Until his death, he also was Chairman of
the Scientific Institute of Electronic Business in Berlin.
In 1996, Weizenbaum moved to Berlin. On March 5, he died in consequence of
apoplexy.
_______________________________________________
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Reply to alicebot-general@...
Unsubscribe and change preferences at http://list.alicebot.org/mailman/listinfo/alicebot-general
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Learn to read at http://www.literacy.org/
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