Slashdot Mirror


Wolfram Promises Computing That Answers Questions

An anonymous reader writes "Computer scientist Stephen Wolfram feels that he has put together at least the initial version of a computer that actually answers factual questions, a la Star Trek's ship computers. His version will be found on their Web-based application, Wolfram Alpha. What does this mean? Well, instead of returning links to pages that may (or may not) contain the answer to your questions, Wolfram will respond with the actual answer. Just imagine typing in 'How many bones are in the human body?' and getting the answer." Right now, though the search entry field is in place, Alpha is not yet generally available -- only "to a few select individuals."

2 of 369 comments (clear)

  1. How many bones by icebike · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Q: How many bones are in the human body
    A: Did you mean cumulatively or at any point in time?

    --
    Sig Battery depleted. Reverting to safe mode.
  2. Re:A.I. by dotancohen · · Score: 4, Interesting

    It goes further than that. Try Googling "how old is Britney Spears" and "what is the population of iceland" (without quotes). The answer appears at the top, separately from the search results.

    Google them together, it returns your post!

    --
    It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.