Structure Elucidation and Artificial Intelligence

The difference between the older and the more recent computer systems amounts, in the final analysis, to the difference between an insect and a human being. The insect comes “fully programmed” into the world–programmed by instincts which it follows without using any thought processes. On the other hand, the human being must first learn the correct behavior–however, such learning can develop an impetus all its own: becoming, indeed, proceeding from his own decision and his awareness, the human being can change his former action programs. The creation of a computer system of the X-th generation will actually far more resemble educating a child than the traditional programming of a computer.