Machines Who Think: A Personal Inquiry into the History and Prospects of Artificial Intelligence

Explores the mythical and historical evolution of artificial intelligence, describing the technological advances and their potential and noting the resistance of non-scientists to the perceived threat to man

Pamela McCorduck is the author or coauthor of eight published books, two of them novels. Among her books are Machines Who Think, a history of artificial intelligence; The Universal Machine, a study of the worldwide impact of the computer; and Aaron’s Code, an inquiry into the future of art and artificial intelligence. Her work has been translated into all the major European and Asian languages. A recent book, coauthored with Nancy Ramsey, is The Futures of Women (Addison-Wesley, 1996; Time-Warner paperback, 1997), containing four scenarios for women worldwide in the year 2015.

Ms. McCorduck has been an active member of PEN American Center, the author organization in New York City, serving on its executive board and as vice president for several years. In addition, she founded and chaired PEN’s Readers and Writers Program, which sends authors and their books to newly literate adults all over the country. She has been a board member and treasurer of the New Mexico Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, and currently serves on its advisory committee. Ms. McCorduck also works as a consultant, constructing future scenarios for firms in the transportation, financial, and high-tech sectors.