The Development of Eliza

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This chapter explores the background and experiences of a computer engineer who joined MIT as part of Project MAC, the Pentagon-funded initiative. It discusses the concept of time sharing and the development of Eliza, the first chatbot. It also delves into the reactions and impact of Eliza, including the phenomenon known as the Eliza effect.

Paris Marx is joined by Ben Tarnoff to discuss the ELIZA chatbot created by Joseph Weizenbaum in the 1960s and how it led him to develop a critical perspective on AI and computing that deserves more attention during this wave of AI hype.

Ben Tarnoff writes about technology and politics. He is a founding editor of Logic, and author of Internet for the People: The Fight for Our Digital Future. You can follow Ben on Twitter at @bentarnoff.

Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Follow the podcast (@techwontsaveus) and host Paris Marx (@parismarx) on Twitter, and support the show on Patreon.

The podcast is produced by Eric Wickham and part of the Harbinger Media Network.

Also mentioned in this episode:

Ben wrote a long article about Weizenbaum and what we can learn from his work for The Guardian.
Paris wrote a skeptical perspective on AI hype and the promises of ChatGPT in Disconnect.
Zachary Loeb has also written about Weizenbaum’s work and perspective on AI and computing.

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