Alan Turing

Mathematician

1912-06-23 – 1954-06-07

Alan Turing was an English mathematician and computer scientist whose work laid foundations for theoretical computing and artificial intelligence. He played a central role in Allied codebreaking during World War II at Bletchley Park. His legacy is fundamental to modern computer science.

Quotes by Alan Turing

I believe that at the end of the century the use of words and general educated opinion will have altered so much that one will be able to speak of machines thinking without expecting to be contradicted.
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The isolated man does not develop any intellectual power. It is necessary for him to be immersed in an environment of other men, whose techniques he absorbs during the first twenty years of his life. He may then perhaps do a little research of his own and make a very few discoveries which are passed on to other men. From this point of view the search for new techniques must be regarded as carried out by the human community as a whole, rather than by individuals.
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We can only see a short distance ahead, but we can see plenty there that needs to be done.
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I believe that at the end of the century the use of words and general educated opinion will have altered so much that one will be able to speak of machines thinking without expecting to be contradicted.
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The isolated man does not develop any intellectual power. It is necessary for him to be immersed in an environment of other men, whose techniques he absorbs during the first twenty years of his life. He may then perhaps do a little research of his own and make a very few discoveries which are passed on to other men. From this point of view the search for new techniques must be regarded as carried out by the human community as a whole, rather than by individuals.
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We can only see a short distance ahead, but we can see plenty there that needs to be done.
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I have such a stressful job that the only way I can get it out of my mind is by running hard.
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Machines take me by surprise with great frequency.
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No, I'm not interested in developing a powerful brain. All I'm after is just a mediocre brain, something like the President of the American Telephone and Telegraph Company.
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