“Have you ever worked with artificial intelligence?” he asked.

“Not really. Unless you consider that Expert System development is a part of AI. But I keep up with the developments since some of it is applicable to my own work.”

“That’s all for the good. I would rather have you learn than unlearn. Have you been told what the work is to be?”

“No. Only that it is important and relates to AI. Mr. Benicoff also explained to me about the violent industrial espionage that has been involved. His main concern was that I should know what I was getting involved with physically. He let me read a copy of his report on the unsolved crime. He also said there had been other attacks on your life since that time. If I work on the project I might be at risk myself. He wanted to be sure I knew all about this before I was even offered the job.”

“I’m glad he did that. Because there is a real chance that there might be physical danger.”

For the first time there was a change in her stern expression as she smiled. “An Air Force officer is assumed to be ready for combat at any time. When I was born Israel was still an armed camp. My father and mother, like everyone else, fought in the Army. When I was six years old my family emigrated to America so I was lucky to grow up in a country at peace. But I still like to think that some of their strength and ability to survive was passed on to me.”

“I’m sure it was,” Brian said, almost smiling in return. He was beginning to like Shelly, liked her air of self-assurance. But he was not sure that he really wanted to work with a woman — no matter how qualified she was. Memories of Kim still got in the way. But if Shelly was good enough to do Expert System work for the Air Force she might be qualified enough to help him. And the fact that she had never done AI research was an asset. Some scientists developed tunnel vision after a while and believed that their approach to the problem was the only one — even after they were proven wrong. He would just have to try to forget her sex; he turned to Ben with a question.

“Is there any reason I can’t give Shelly some information about what I’m doing? She deserves to know what she will be involved in before she makes her mind up.”

“The Captain has an absolutely top security clearance,” Ben said. “I’ll take the responsibility. You can tell her whatever you think she needs to know.”

“Okay then. Shelly, I am in the process of developing an artificial intelligence. Not the sort of program that we call AI now. I mean a really complete, efficient, freestanding and articulate artificial intelligence that really works.”

“But how can you make an intelligent machine until you know precisely what intelligence is?”

“By making one that can pass the Turing Test. I’m sure that you know how it works. You put a human being at one terminal, talking to a human being on another terminal, and there are numberless questions that can be asked — and answered — to convince the human at one end that there is another human at the other terminal. And as you know the history of AI is filled with programs that failed this test.”

“But that’s only a trick to convince someone that the machine is a person. It still doesn’t give us a definition of intelligence.”

“True enough, but that was precisely Turing’s point. There’s really no need to have a definition and, in fact, we really don’t want one. You can’t define things, but only words. We tend to call someone intelligent if we think that they’re good at solving problems, or learning new skills, or doing what other people do. After all, the only reason we consider other people to be intelligent is that they behave intellectually like human beings.”

“But couldn’t something be intelligent and yet think completely different from a person? Like maybe a porpoise or an elephant?”

“Certainly — and you can call them intelligent if you want to. But for me, the word intelligence is just a handle to describe all the things I wish I were better at — and everything I’d like our future AI to do. The trouble is that I don’t know just what those are yet. The reason for using those terminals is simply that it shouldn’t matter what the thing looks like, so long as it responds to all questions asked, with answers that cannot be told from those of another person. Sorry about the lecture, for telling you what you already know. But I am developing an AI to pass that test. So my question is — would you like to help?”

For the first time since they had been talking Shelly lost her composure, was more woman than military officer. Her eyes had widened while Brian spoke and she touched her fingertips to her chin, shaking her head slightly with disbelief. “I hear what you are saying — though it sounds both completely impossible — and incredibly exciting. Do you mean to say that you are working on a machine that I would recognize as intelligent?”

“He is,” Ben said firmly. “I can assure you that a real AI has been designed and that it will be built.”

“If that is the case, then I do want to be part of it! This is such a momentous and important development that there is no question in my mind.” She frowned. “Are there many others applying for the post?”

“I’m seeing someone else tomorrow,” Ben said. “That’s the entire list.”

“I am sure that I can control my impatience for a while. But if you will let me help, there is something I can do to be of assistance right now.”

“We won’t be able to get into the lab for some time yet,” Brian said.

“That’s not what I mean. I’m talking about the overall security matter.” She turned to Ben. “That report you showed me of the theft — is it complete?”

“I took out all the references to artificial intelligence. Other than that, yes, it’s complete.”

“I don’t mean that. I’m referring to the investigation of the crime. Do you know who was in charge of it?”

“I certainly do. Me. I can guarantee that that part of the report is complete.”

“And since the theft and Brian’s being shot — there have been two other threats on his life?”

“That is correct.”

“Then it seems to me that solving the crime should take top priority.”

Benicoff did not know whether to laugh — or be insulted. “You do realize that I am in charge of the investigation? That I have been working on it full-time for some months?”

“Sir, please don’t misunderstand! I was not denigrating your efforts — just offering to help.”

“And how will you do that?”

“By writing an Expert Program with only one aim in mind. To solve this crime.”

Benicoff dropped back into his chair and rubbed his jaw in silence for a moment — then nodded happily. “Captain — my thanks. I have been very, very dumb about this. I don’t intend to be in the future. How soon can you transfer here?”

“I’m part of a team. They are very good and I know that they’ll be able to carry on without me. I could be here in a day or two. I’ll first have to make some notes of developments that I am working on so they’ll have that input. Then, as long as they can contact me in the future, I could transfer here almost immediately. The end of this week if you want. The work there is important — but not as important as this. If you would let me I would like to develop this Expert Program for you. And keep myself available for further work on the AI. Is that agreeable?”

“Perfect. I’ll organize all the material so you can access it at once. And I’m going to kick myself around the block for not thinking of it myself. An investigation like this one is mostly a dumb, boring, sorting of facts and running down endless leads. Which is a job for a computer — not for a human being.”

“I couldn’t agree more. I’ll be back as soon as I can. And thank you again for asking me.”

They stood when she did, shook hands, watched her leave — as did the marine guard who allowed only his eyes to follow her.