Man-Computer Symbiosis
J.C.R. Licklider, IRE Transactions on Human Factors in Electronics, volume HFE-1, pages 4-11, March 1960
Table of Contents
- Summary (1)
- 1. Introduction (10)
- 2. Aims of Man-Computer Symbiosis (4)
- 3. Need for Computer Participation in Formulative and Real-Time Thinking (8)
- 4. Separable Functions of Men and Computers in the Anticipated Symbiotic Association (2)
- 5. Prerequisites for Realization of Man-Computer Symbiosis (8)
- References (0)
JCR Licklider's "Man-Computer Symbiosis"
J.C.R. Licklider's short piece is a classic paper in the history of computers, software and networks. It has been read widely and influenced scientists, engineers, artists and thinkers across multiple fields. Aside from being prescient, as much of his work is, this is also one of the earliest attempts to imagine an alternative to the "Strong AI" tradition of computer scientists; rather than proposing an intelligent computer that would mimic the functions of human intelligence, Lick proposes that intelligence is a negotiation, a partnership or a "symbiosis" in which both computer and human intelligence evolve together. This version of the text was created for a class in the History of Software and Networks at Harvard University, Fall 2007. Please feel free to contribute your thoughts. The text is taken from this version.