Documentary backdrop image for 1982: Can Computers Think? (2025)

202523 minPGdocumentary

1982: Can Computers Think?

202523 minPGdocumentary

Artificial intelligence in computers is examined through the lens of problem-solving and strategic gameplay in this insightful edition of The Computer Programme.

Genres

Channel: BBC Archive

1982: Can Computers Think?

2025• 23 minPG

Synopsis

Artificial intelligence in computers is examined through the lens of problem-solving and strategic gameplay in this insightful edition of The Computer Programme.

Synopsis

Artificial intelligence in computers is examined through the lens of "The Computer Programme," featuring Chris Searle, Ian McNaught-Davis, and Gill Neville. The episode, originally aired on BBC Two in 1982, investigates whether computers can be programmed to think critically, solve complex problems, and develop winning strategies in games. This exploration highlights the early discussions surrounding AI and its potential capabilities, providing a historical context for contemporary advancements in technology.

Comments

What are people saying?

Play More Like This

The Thinking Game (2025)

The Thinking Game

2025•1h24m•★7.5TMDB

Demis Hassabis, co-founder of DeepMind, reflects on his passion for artificial intelligence and the ethical implications of artificial general intelligence.

The Thinking Game

1970: Could Machines Become Intelligent? (2025)

1970: Could Machines Become Intelligent?

Artificial intelligence, exemplified by MacHack's victory over chess player Benjamin Landy, raises questions about machines surpassing human intellect.

1970: Could Machines Become Intelligent?

1983: Can AI Teach us About Ourselves? (2023)

1983: Can AI Teach us About Ourselves?

Philosopher Daniel Dennett discusses how artificial intelligence can enhance the relationship between philosophy and psychology in this insightful 1983 conversation.

1983: Can AI Teach us About Ourselves?

2001: The Future of Artificial Intelligence (2025)

2001: The Future of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence raises critical questions about its attainability, desirability, and potential to surpass human intelligence, as debated by leading experts.

2001: The Future of Artificial Intelligence

Can artificial intelligence become sentient, or smarter than we are - and then what? (2022)

Can artificial intelligence become sentient, or smarter than we are - and then what?

Artificial intelligence researchers, including Christine Arthursson from Reykjavik, Iceland, explore the potential and risks of creating machines that think like humans.

Can artificial intelligence become sentient, or smarter than we are - and then what?

Consciousness vs. Code: Can AI Truly Think and Feel? (2025)

Consciousness vs. Code: Can AI Truly Think and Feel?

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping society, raising critical questions about its ability to think, feel, and the ethical implications of its rapid advancement.

Consciousness vs. Code: Can AI Truly Think and Feel?

1966: Alan Turing's Machines (2026)

1966: Alan Turing's Machines

Alan Turing's theoretical computer principles continue to underpin modern computing, as demonstrated by computer scientist Benedict Nixon's variations of Turing Machines.

1966: Alan Turing's Machines

Hyper Intelligence: Turning Machines into Thinking Robots (2025)

Hyper Intelligence: Turning Machines into Thinking Robots

Ten thousand monogenic diseases affect hundreds of millions of children worldwide, prompting advancements in genetic engineering for potential cures.

Hyper Intelligence: Turning Machines into Thinking Robots

We Let Artificial Intelligence Write This Show (2021)

We Let Artificial Intelligence Write This Show

AI is mankind's biggest technological leap, impacting music and journalism significantly.

We Let Artificial Intelligence Write This Show

1962: Are Humanoid Machines Imminent? (2023)

1962: Are Humanoid Machines Imminent?

Humanoid machines are on the horizon as advancements in artificial intelligence and mechanical engineering raise questions about their potential impact on society.

1962: Are Humanoid Machines Imminent?

Explore 1982: Can Computers Think?

Browse more like this

Consciousness vs. Code: Can AI Truly Think and Feel? (2025)

Consciousness vs. Code: Can AI Truly Think and Feel?

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping society, raising critical questions about its ability to think, feel, and the ethical implications of its rapid advancement.

Consciousness vs. Code: Can AI Truly Think and Feel?

No digital watch option in your country

Do You Trust this Computer? (2018)

Do You Trust this Computer?

2018•1h18m•★7.1TMDB

Elon Musk warns about the dangers of artificial intelligence, discussing the risks of superintelligent machines in a film featuring insights from experts like Ray Kurzweil.

Do You Trust this Computer?

Unknown: Killer Robots (2023)

Unknown: Killer Robots

2023•1h8m•★6.8TMDB

Machines deciding life or death: a chilling examination of AI warfare.

Unknown: Killer Robots

ARTIFICIAL: Media Production in an Age of AI (2024)

ARTIFICIAL: Media Production in an Age of AI

2024•57m•★10.0TMDB

Alec Dubois interviews industry professionals like Jill Van Lokeren and Tom Jackson to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming media production.

ARTIFICIAL: Media Production in an Age of AI

iHuman (2019)

iHuman

2019•1h39m•★7.0TMDB

Nine experts, including Ilya Sutskever and Jürgen Schmidhuber, discuss the role of artificial intelligence in society and its effects on daily life.

The Horizon Guide to AI (2018)

The Horizon Guide to AI

2018•59m•★7.5TMDB

Artificial intelligence has evolved since the 1960s, shifting from optimism to fear about its impact on human roles and daily life.

The Horizon Guide to AI

This Is A.I. (2018)

This Is A.I.

2018•1h24m•★7.5TMDB

Interviews with leading experts in artificial intelligence highlight its historical development, societal impact, and ethical challenges in modern life.

The Joy of AI (2018)

The Joy of AI

2018•59m•★7.0TMDB

Machines can simulate human cognitive abilities, with advancements in artificial intelligence leading to practical applications like spam filters and computer vision.

We Need to Talk About A.I. (2020)

We Need to Talk About A.I.

2020•1h26m•★6.4TMDB

Artificial intelligence raises ethical dilemmas and potential threats, prompting a reevaluation of societal approaches to its development and regulation.

We Need to Talk About A.I.

AI Evolution (2024)

AI Evolution

2024•52m•★8.0TMDB

Fei-Fei Li and Andrew Ng explore the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence, addressing its ethical implications and potential impacts on the workforce.

The Computer Programme (1982)

The Computer Programme

1982•25m•★6.5TMDB

A BBC Micro computer was developed for the BBC Computer Literacy Project and featured in a 1982 TV series aimed at teaching the public about computers.

The Computer Programme

Is this your film?

If you made this film or hold the rights to it, we'd like to talk. We can license it and pay you a share of what it earns.

License it with us →