The HAL 9000 Computer and the Vision of 2001: A Space
Odyssey
David G. Stork (Ricoh Innovations, Inc.)
Abstract:
2001: A Space Odyssey, Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C.
Clarke's 1968 epic film about space exploration and the evolution of
intelligence, was the most carefully researched and scientifically precise
feature film ever made. Now, in its namesake year, we can compare the film's
computer science "visions" with current technological fact -- in par-ticular
those related to its central character, the HAL 9000 computer, which could
speak, reason, see, play chess, plan and express emotions. In some domains
reality has sur-passed the vision in the film: computer chess, computer
hardware, and graphics. In numerous others, reality has fallen far short:
computer speech, language, vision, lipreading, planning, and common sense. The
film missed some trends entirely: the film showed no laptops or PDAs and HAL
as large as a school bus but in reality computers instead got small. As such,
the film provides a remarkable perspective on the sweep of developments in the
modern era of computer technology. This non-technical talk is profusely
illustrated with clips from 2001 and current research and sheds new light on
key moments of the film. You will never see the film the same way again.
