In the 1950s, a new field, cognitive psychology, emerged as a dialogue between the growing capabilities of digital computers and the study of human cognition and perception. Artificial Intelligence (AI) researchers began to develop models of perception, reasoning, knowledge organization, and natural language communication. They also created neural networks, expert systems, and other software with practical applications. AI models in turn have offered provocative insights into the human mind; now, new developments in virtual community and cyberspace point toward a future in which human and computer minds will interact in increasingly complex ways. Ultimately, AI research compels us to ask what it is that makes us human.

在20世纪50年代，一个新的领域，认知心理学，作为数字计算机不断增长的能力与人类认知和感知研究之间的对话而出现。人工智能（AI）研究人员开始开发感知、推理、知识组织和自然语言交流的模型。他们还创建了神经网络、专家系统和其他具有实际应用的软件。人工智能模型反过来提供了对人类思维的启发性见解；现在，虚拟社区和网络空间的新发展预示着人类和计算机思维将以越来越复杂的方式相互作用的未来。最终，人工智能研究迫使我们去问是什么让我们成为人类。