Alan Turing
Alan Turing was a British mathematician and logician whose work laid the theoretical foundations for computer science.
His concept of the Turing machine—an abstract device that manipulates symbols according to rules—formalized what it means for something to be computable.
During World War II, he led efforts to break German Enigma codes at Bletchley Park.
The Turing test proposes that a machine exhibits intelligence if its responses are indistinguishable from a human's.
Prosecuted for homosexuality in 1952, he died two years later from cyanide poisoning, ruled a suicide.
He received a posthumous royal pardon in 2013.
WWII British cryptanalysis site
- EnigmaGerman encryption apparatus
- cryptanalysisStudy of breaking ciphers
- decryptionConverting ciphertext to plaintext
- cipherHidden writing system
Ultra · Colossus · Lorenz · cryptographer · codebreaker · intercept · plaintext · key
Finite problem-solving procedure
- computabilityAlgorithmic solvability of problems
- decidabilityAlgorithmic resolution capability
- logicScience of valid reasoning
- mathematical proofLogical demonstration of truth
tape · state · symbol · instruction · automaton
Early explorer or settler
- visionaryImaginative planner of futures
- geniusPerson of rare brilliance
- iconPictorial screen symbol
- heroOne admired for courage
tribute · recognition · pardon · statue · banknote · anniversary · persecution · apology
1939-45 global conflict
- AlliesWWII's victorious coalition
- war effortOrganized wartime resource mobilization
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- espionageCovert intelligence gathering
secrecy · MI6 · Atlantic · U-boat · military · classified · operation · victory
Professional in abstract quantities
- logicianExpert in valid reasoning
- computer scientistExpert in computational theory
- morphogenesisDevelopmental shape emergence
- biologyStudy of organisms
Fibonacci · chemistry · mathematical model · natural patterns · stripes · spots · embryology · scientific method
Machines mimicking human thought
- machine intelligenceAutomated cognitive capability
- imitation gameMachine intelligence assessment
- thinking machineComputer or AI system
- computer chessSoftware-based strategic board game
natural language · chatbot · cognition · mind · consciousness · simulation · Manchester · programming
Bletchley Park
WWII British cryptanalysis site
- EnigmaGerman encryption apparatus
- cryptanalysisStudy of breaking ciphers
- decryptionConverting ciphertext to plaintext
cipher · Ultra · Colossus · Lorenz · cryptographer · codebreaker · intercept · plaintext · key · signals intelligence
algorithm
Finite problem-solving procedure
- computabilityAlgorithmic solvability of problems
- decidabilityAlgorithmic resolution capability
- logicScience of valid reasoning
mathematical proof · tape · state · symbol · instruction · automaton
pioneer
Early explorer or settler
hero · tribute · recognition · pardon · statue · banknote · anniversary · persecution · apology · LGBTQ
WWII
1939-45 global conflict
- AlliesWWII's victorious coalition
- war effortOrganized wartime resource mobilization
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
espionage · secrecy · MI6 · Atlantic · U-boat · military · classified · operation · victory · contribution
mathematician
Professional in abstract quantities
- logicianExpert in valid reasoning
- computer scientistExpert in computational theory
- morphogenesisDevelopmental shape emergence
biology · Fibonacci · chemistry · mathematical model · natural patterns · stripes · spots · embryology · scientific method · research
artificial intelligence
Machines mimicking human thought
- machine intelligenceAutomated cognitive capability
- imitation gameMachine intelligence assessment
- thinking machineComputer or AI system
computer chess · natural language · chatbot · cognition · mind · consciousness · simulation · Manchester · programming · digital computer
- British InnovatorsJames Watt, George Stephenson, Michael Faraday, Thomas Telford, Charles Babbage
- British MathematiciansIsaac Newton, Charles Babbage
- British ScientistsIsaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Michael Faraday, Stephen Hawking, Francis Crick
- Computer ScientistsGrace Hopper, Larry Page, Sergey Brin
- AI Pioneers
- LogiciansAristotle, Bertrand Russell, Kurt Godel, William of Ockham, Leibniz