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Teaching a computer to speculate

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Abstract

Advanced natural language processing techniques may well lead to a major breakthrough in computer applications. Those working in artificial intelligence are seeking ways in which the computer can be made to emulate the ability of the human mind to handle language. This article illustrates the challenges of restructuring human semantic knowledge into computer-usable forms. We discuss hierarchies, Venn diagrams, chainings, cycles, matrices, maps, networks, webs, hubs, and scripts, all of which can be used in our attempts to teach the computer to handle meaning and thereby speculate.

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Don Nilsen is chair of the Linguistics section in the Department of English. Alleen Nilsen is professor of English and assistant dean of the Graduate College. Nathan Combs is in the Linguistics Department. All are at Arizona State University.

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Nilsen, D.L.F., Nilsen, A.P. & Combs, N.H. Teaching a computer to speculate. Comput Hum 22, 193–201 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00118892

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