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Joseph Weizenbaum

Research and Advances Jan 1 1983

ELIZA — a computer program for the study of natural language communication between man and machine

ELIZA is a program operating within the MAC time-sharing system of MIT which makes certain kinds of natural language conversation between man and computer possible. Input sentences are analyzed on the basis of decomposition rules which are triggered by key words appearing in the input text. Responses are generated by reassembly rules associated with selected decomposition rules. The fundamental technical problems with which ELIZA is concerned are: (1) the identification of key words, (2) the discovery of minimal context, (3) the choice of appropriate transformations, (4) generation of responses in the absence of key words, and (5) the provision of an editing capability for ELIZA “scripts”. A discussion of some psychological issues relevant to the ELIZA approach as well as of future developments concludes the paper.

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Research and Advances Mar 1 1970

A program to teach programming

The TEACH system was developed at MIT to ease the cost and improve the results of elementary instruction in programming. To the student, TEACH offers loosely guided experience with a conversational language which was designed with teaching in mind. Faculty involvement is minimal. A term of experience with TEACH is discussed. Pedagogically, the system appears to be successful; straighforward reimplementation will make it economically successful as well. Similar programs of profound tutorial skill will appear only as the results of extended research. The outlines of this research are beginning to become clear.
Research and Advances Aug 1 1967

Contextual understanding by computers

A further development of a computer program (ELIZA) capable of conversing in natural language is discussed. The importance of context to both human and machine understanding is stressed. It is argued that the adequacy of the level of understanding achieved in a particular conversation depends on the purpose of that conversation, and that absolute understanding on the part of either humans or machines is impossible. 0
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