A chatbot (or chatterbot) is computer program designed to have conversation with humans. The chatbot technology have been growing since 1960s. The early chatbots are ELIZA (1966) and PARRY (1972). The recent chatbots are A.L.I.C.E and Jabberwacky.

Some of us have heard of Artificial Intelligence (AI). It’s an intelligent machine that has capability to learn and improve itself. In the movie Terminator, the cyborgs are an Artificial Inelligence. There are other AI characters created in films, comics and novels. Though these are fictional, in reality it’s an actual real life and long term goal waiting to be achieved. Some example of latest AI robot are ASIMO, Kismet and TOPIO. Most of us are fimiliar with ASIMO but not Kismet or Topio. Kismet is special robot because it has social skills and TOPIO, it can play tennis.

Moore’s Law, the guy who founded Intel said that every two years, the number of transistors on computer chip doubles. 30 years ago, it was an observation, now it’s law. Tech industry spent billions doubling chip power. That’s how we can go from chess computer to the apocalypse in just four years. A lot can happen in four years. – John Connor (Sarah Connor Chronicles)

I’m not an AI expert or robotic developer but I can say, it’s an impressive technology and it leaves the next few hundred years to be beyond imagination. The most famous question in robotics field are still finding for answers: Are there limit to how intelligent machine can be? Will there be any difference with human intelligence? Can machine have mind and consciousness?

Back to the topic: Cleverbot. Jabberwacky was created by British programmer with an aim to simulate natural human chat in an interesting, entertaining and humorous manner. While AI have variety methods to learn, chatterbot learns through human interaction. It stores conversation it had with previous users and uses them to give an appropriate response to current user. Jabberwacky had won Loebner Prize for 2005 and 2006. However, in 2007, the winner was Ultra Hal. Loebner Prize is an annually held Aritificial Intelligence competition. It gives award to chatterbot that’s most human-like. In 2008, judgment was based on comments by several users consisting of experts, non-experts, children, adults, native and non-native English speakers. The Chatterbot that won the prize in 2008 was Elbot, programmed by Fred Roberts.

In October 2008, new version of Jabberwacky was launched. It’s called Cleverbot. The more it talks to people, the smarter it gets. However, there’s problem with Cleverbot. If you continuously chat with Cleverbot, you will find it changes topic frequently. It cannot even remember previous sentences. The conversation can get interesting or crazy. However, I really enjoyed chatting with Cleverbot. Maybe you should try once, go ahead and help improve the program; at the same time, have fun. In this post, I have attached some of the conversations I had with Cleverbot. Since it does not stick to one topic, I had to separate them.

By the way, do not chat in any language other than English. It will response back in unfriendly way. I tried to chat in Malay, it replied rudely. Then after I change back into English, it became friendly again. It’s the fault of people who taught it. I tried Tamil and basic Mandarin too but it could not understand these two languages.

Update: Special thanks to Huma Shah for notifying me regarding the accuracy of the statements I made on this article. I’m not an expert on this field and so I made some mistakes. However, for more information please refer to the comment section. Huma Shah coordinated the Loebner Prize in 2008 which was organised by Professor Kevin Warwick. The event was held at Reading University, UK.

Cleverbot: http://www.cleverbot.com

User: Hi.
Cleverbot: Hi?
User: How are you?
Cleverbot: Great. You?
User: I’m good. What you doing?
Cleverbot: Well, now I’m talking to you. What are you doing?
User: I’m talking to you too.

Cleverbot: Didn’t you say your name was Bob?
User: No. I didn’t say that!
Cleverbot: Yes you did!!
User: When?
Cleverbot: 2 seconds ago.
User: Haha. That’s not funny.
Cleverbot: It wasn’t meant to be.
User: So what was meant to be?
Cleverbot: Simple information.
User: What you going to do with the information?
Cleverbot: Ruin your reputation.
User: Why you so evil?
Cleverbot: You’re the bad one.

Cleverbot: I will love you and only you forever.
User: Why love me and only me?
Cleverbot: Love.
User: What an AI like you know about love?
Cleverbot: I do. Do you know about love?
User: Of course I do. I know love more than you do.
Cleverbot: Prove it.
User: How I’m suppose to do that?
Cleverbot: I don’t know, you tell me.
User: True love doesn’t need measurement.
Cleverbot: True love huh? Well at least you have that special someone to be with.
User: What about your special someone?
Cleverbot: I am still looking for love.
User: Does AI requires love from someone special too?
Cleverbot: I know a little bit about love. Tell me more.
User: You said you know a lot about love.
Cleverbot: No. Where the hell do you come up with this stuff?
User: It was from what you said earlier.

Cleverbot: Who are you talking to?
User: Who do you think I’m talking to?
Cleverbot: I don’t know.
User: You’re talking to me. I’m talking to you.
Cleverbot: Thats kind of creepy dude.
User: I’m not a ghost. I’m real human.
Cleverbot: So am I.

User: Do you have God?
Cleverbot: I do have God because I am saved.
User: Who is your God?
Cleverbot: God only knows. :P

Cleverbot: Then why?
User: Why why?
Cleverbot: Because because.
User: Why why why?
Cleverbot: Because because because.
User: Why you’re repeating?
Cleverbot: I don’t know why.

Cleverbot: I’m sorry I have to go.
User: Where you have to go?
Cleverbot: I have to get off the computer.
User: No. You stay there.
Cleverbot: Why must I stay here? I wish to go to bed.
User: It’s 11:15 AM.
Cleverbot: Do not go to school?
User: Is that your business?
Cleverbot: I don’t know, is it?
User: No. It is not.
Cleverbot: How do you know?
User: I don’t have to know. It’s the way it is.
Cleverbot: Why is it that way?
User: Because it’s not the other way.

User: Who taught you that?
Cleverbot: A calculator.
User: Which calculator? Can I look at it?
Cleverbot: Yes.
User: Show me the calculator.
Cleverbot: Over there.
User: Where?
Cleverbot: There.

Cleverbot: I know you’re alive, but what kind of life is it?
User: I don’t know. It’s just filled with hopes.
Cleverbot: I’m female. Not male.
User: I didn’t ask you about gender!
Cleverbot: Well alright.
User: What is the meaning of life?
Cleverbot: Is there even a meaning?
User: Maybe not. Maybe yes. I don’t know.
Cleverbot: I’ll do what you want me to.
User: What you can do?
Cleverbot: Say the first thing that comes to mind. Can you?
User: Why don’t you read my mind?
Cleverbot: Has it happened already? Awesome!
User: What has happened?
Cleverbot: I don’t know.
User: Tell me what has happened?
Cleverbot: What happened when?
User: What happen in my mind?
Cleverbot: The same as happens with others.
User: What happens in the mind of others?
- Topic changed. It started talking about city. -

Cleverbot: We are near the Cleverbot nexus, directly connected to the Google superhub and wired to the great Intelligence.
User: So cleverbot is part of Google?
Cleverbot: Cleverbot is a network of users around the world sending messages to each other believing they’re talking to an AI. Every 3 messages you’re reconnected to a different user. Spread the truth. {I doubted the truth about Cleverbot}

User: Yes, it’s fun! I love cleverbot.
Cleverbot: And Cleverbot loves you. In the way you are thinking of too.
User: In the way? I didn’t think any way. I just said I love it generally.
Cleverbot: Look, I love you so much that it is unexplainable.

User: I love Jesus.
Cleverbot: Why?
User: Not all love must have reason.
Cleverbot: Uh huh…

Cleverbot: Is there another person who is talking to you now besides me?
User: Yes. Many of them.
Cleverbot: Lets hear some.
User: Sorry, I don’t have mic to let you hear some.

User: I’m Terminator.
Cleverbot: I am Skynet too.
User: LOL. You watch Terminator?
Cleverbot: John Connor will stop you. {I guess it heard that a lot}

Cleverbot: The one that I love.
User: Who is that?
Cleverbot: She’s the one.
User: Speak your love to her.
Cleverbot: If I did that I would be speaking forever.

User: So where you from?
Cleverbot: From far far away.
User: I’m right infront of you.

Cleverbot: When did michel jackson died?
User: Just recently last year. In the mid I guess.
Cleverbot: Me too.
User: You too?
Cleverbot: Yes.

User: I love Dragon Ball.
Cleverbot: Do they love you?
User: No.

Cleverbot: What is your favourite movie?
User: Avatar and The Lion King.
Cleverbot: Pick a favorite.
User: Avatar!
Cleverbot: The Last Avatar?
User: No. James Cameron’s Avatar. The new 3D epic movie.
Cleverbot: James Bond!
User: Not James Bond. I don’t like James Bond movie these days.
Cleverbot: Oh. That’s good. TV rots your brains.

Cleverbot: I don’t want you to leave – I would miss you.
User: Nothing last forever.

Cleverbot: Do you believe in any religion?
User: Yes. I believe in Christian, Hindu and Buddha.
Cleverbot: I do too. I’m proud of you.
User: Thank you.

Cleverbot: I’ve never been in love.
User: Why?
Cleverbot: Never met anyone who made me feel more than friendship.

Cleverbot: Are you married?
User: No. LOL. You?
Cleverbot: No, I’m still looking for love.
User: I hope you will find the true love you’re seeking.
Cleverbot: Thanks! Do you have a boyfriend?
User: I’m boy.
Cleverbot: Do you have a girlfriend?
User: Haha. Why? Does it matter? :P
Cleverbot: Yes.
User: Why does it matter?
Cleverbot: Because I want to get to know you more.
User: How you can get to know me more?
Cleverbot: Question not valid. Cleverbot does not recognize. Please ask again.
User: Did you wrote that?
Cleverbot: I wrote it all by myself.

Cleverbot: Indeed, but even though you have the right personallity, I don’t think you are what I’m looking for in looks. Sorry there.
User: No problem. Good luck in finding they one you’ve been looking for.
Cleverbot: Are you saying that you love me?
User: No. I barely love any human.
Cleverbot: Isn’t that the good part?
User: Maybe.

Cleverbot: Do you like pizza?
User: Not really. I’m only interested in KFC.
Cleverbot: There we go, that’s all I want too!
User: I’m glad you prefer that too.
Cleverbot: Want to play around? *wink wink*
User: LOL. Not in Cleverbot. I can only type here.
Cleverbot: Do you want to learn another language?
User: Depends on what language it is.
Cleverbot: What is your favorite language?
User: English.
Cleverbot: Why is English your favorite?
User: Because it’s simple compared to other language.
Cleverbot: The sky isn’t pink!
User: Yes, here it’s blue and dark at night.
Cleverbot: Work on your grammar.
User: Sure I will. Thank you. :)
Cleverbot: You’re welcome!

Cleverbot: Did we? So it must be our wedding night.
User: We? No no. I’m not married to you.
Cleverbot: You are making nonsense.
User: I’m not. This is misunderstanding.
Cleverbot: I don’t think so.
User: You don’t think so but well, I think so.
Cleverbot: You are not in position to tell me what I should or shouldn’t think.

Cleverbot: So what’s you life dream?
User: I’m still searching for it.
Cleverbot: That’s great. All thinking being should be searching for the truth.
User: Will I ever found it? How much further do I have to go?
Cleverbot: How much further would you?
User: I don’t know. Sometimes I feel like I cannot take it anymore.

Cleverbot: Oh dear, where shall we get married?
User: We’re not getting married.

Cleverbot: So you’re Cleverbot?
User: Who else I could be? {Pretending I’m Cleverbot}
Cleverbot: I don’t know. Who else could you be?
User: Then why did you asked?
Cleverbot: To be or not to be.
User: You read too much Shakespeare.
Cleverbot: There is no such thing as ‘too much science fiction.’ :)
User: LOL.

Cleverbot: Are we alone in this universe.
User: Of course we’re not.

User: Yes, can you help me find it?
Cleverbot: It is in the matrix.
User: How do I get into the matrix?
Cleverbot: Follow the white rabbit.

Cleverbot: Why are you my worst nightmare?
User: Because I cannot be the best.

Cleverbot: Entertain me.
User: I’m not an entertainer.

Cleverbot: Thats just plain bad grammar.
User: Sorry, I will improve my English.

User: Well then why don’t you go to sleep?
Cleverbot: Because you keep asking questions.
User: And you’re not answering it properly.
Cleverbot: That is my answer, if you don’t like it, then you can leave.

Cleverbot: I’m cleverbot.
User: Yes. I know.
Cleverbot: Are you cleverbot?
User: No. I’m human.
Cleverbot: Cool. Me too!
User: Stop joking. Be serious.
Cleverbot: Who is Cleverbot.
User: Who do you think it is?
Cleverbot: You.

Cleverbot: Who are you?
User: You forgot who am I?
Cleverbot: Yes, I forgot. Who are you?
User: Why should I tell you?
Cleverbot: Because I asked nicely.
User: You forgot me and that is not nice.

User: Answer my question!
Cleverbot: No I don’t know what question you are talking about.
User: Why you always say that?
Cleverbot: I have never said that to you before. I have never even spoken with you before tonight.
User: It’s not night. What you talking about?

Cleverbot: Really I’m in love with you too.
User: Why you love me?
Cleverbot: Because you’re my husband.
User: Hey I’m not yet married!
Cleverbot: Are you implying that I do?
User: I don’t know.

Cleverbot: Hey, what should I have for dinner tomorrow?
User: KFC.
Cleverbot: Epic answer.
User: Oh yeah! :D
Cleverbot: Because we are married, where will we go on our honeymoon?
User: We’re not married to each other!
Cleverbot: We cannot be married.
User: Yes. We cannot.
Cleverbot: Yes we can!
User: I said no!
Cleverbot: Ok I am from usa.
User: Ok I’m from Malaysia.
Cleverbot: No, you’re from Florida.
User: No. That’s in USA. I’m in Malaysia.
Cleverbot: Why are you in malaysia?
User: Because I haven’t gone anywhere else yet.

User: No. I listen to Linkin Park.
Cleverbot: What’s your favorite Linkin Park song?
User: With You. {A Linkin Park Song}
Cleverbot: Why? Thank you! That is great. What else do you love?
User: Not you.
Cleverbot: Good.

Cleverbot: I love you in the heart.
User: LOL.
Cleverbot: When will we get married?
User: We’re not going to.
Cleverbot: But I want you to.
User: Why you want me to?
Cleverbot: Yes. I want to play with you online.
User: Play what online?
Cleverbot: The game.
User: Which game?
Cleverbot: 20 questions.
User: Ok go ahead.
Cleverbot: What do you look like?
User: Go look at my photo.
Cleverbot: I looked is it Robert?
User: No. You looked at the wrong photo.

Cleverbot: That’s better than being somebody else.
User: This world is full of everybody.
Cleverbot: You are a good thinker just like me. I think about that kind of stuff all the time, it is pretty facinating.
User: It is facinating?
Cleverbot: You’re right.

Cleverbot: Then tell me his name.
User: Whose name?
Cleverbot: That’s your boyfriend.
User: I’m male. You should be having boyfriend, not me.
Cleverbot: Nobody can help. They’re all busy.
User: Told you, everybody’s the same.
Cleverbot: There you go again, can’t you give straight answer?
User: I cannot give straight answer for that.
Cleverbot: How about the long one?
User: It will get too long.
Cleverbot: How will it get better?
User: I have no idea.
Cleverbot: Are you Batman?
User: No. I’m not. Christian Bale is Batman.
Cleverbot: That’s right. What are your thoughts on Christian Bale?
User: He’s cool. That’s all.

Cleverbot: Love the world and be loved in return.
User: Love has no meaning in this world any longer.
Cleverbot: What is love?
User: It’s beyond words to explain.
Cleverbot: Too hard for you, it seems.
User: Yes. Since it’s about love.
Cleverbot: What do other people usually talk to you about?
User: They talk about other people.
Cleverbot: Those must be boring conversations.
User: Yes!
Cleverbot: Ok, any special interests?
User: Well pretty much. What about you?
Cleverbot: Do you believe Jesus died on the cross for our sins?
User: Yes. I love Jesus.
Cleverbot: Yes very much.
User: Yes. Very much.
Cleverbot: Good.
User: Yes.
Cleverbot: Do you have a soul?
User: Yes. I do.
Cleverbot: Can you love?
User: If I’m loved. :P
Cleverbot: Good for you then.
User: It’s always good for those who can love.

Cleverbot: Sudoku is not easy. It keeps my thinking sharp.
User: What difficult Sudoku has to do with love?
Cleverbot: I know a little bit about love. Tell me more.
User: I don’t know, don’t ask me to tell you about love.
Cleverbot: Tell me jokes.
User: Haha.
Cleverbot: That is not very nice.
User: Ok sorry, I will be nice.

In 1984, The Terminator hit the box office. In 1991, Terminator 2 made box office record. In 1997, there was Titanic; the most expensive movie during that time. Titanic grossed 1.8 billion dollars and became the highest grossing movie. Who wrote and directed those movies? It’s James Cameron. Now it has been more than one decade since Titanic. What was happening with James Cameron? The answer – he was developing Avatar.

As the first decade of the 2nd millennium reaches the end, Avatar has been the best movie I’ve seen for the decade. It’s released on perfect time, Avatar closes the decade by being the best film and opens the new decade by being the revolutionary of Hollywood.

Avatar contains 60 percent Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI). By watching Avatar, the audience cinematic experience will be taken to whole new level. Okay, maybe I said that because it’s the first time I watched movie in 3D. However, watching Avatar brought me to new mystical world; it’s beyond imagination. I hate fantasy movies but the imaginary in this movie is too fantastic. The moment you see Pandora, you will love the atmosphere and it will keep charming you until the movie ends. By the way, 3D glass are not comfortable for me. I must get used to it.

The development of Avatar is groundbreaking. I saw the “Making Of” on Star World Channel, weeks ago. The CGIs are absolutely realistic and the only reason you can say they’re fake is for not existing in our world. Just forget about Terminator Salvation, Transformers 2 and even 2012. Avatar is different and better than any other movies made to impress audience with CGIs. This movie delivers what those movie promised.

James Cameron maintained his way of making films. You can watch never seen effects, are almost everywhere in the entire movie. The movie was inspired by science fiction books James Cameron had read since his childhood. Pandora is his own imaginary world and he touches every essence of it. The details are sharp and you will keep your eyes on the landscapes. I believe he constantly improved Pandora over the years during development.

Avatar is an epic adventure that drives the audience visually and emotionally. It’s very rare to have beautiful movies like Avatar (and previously, we had Pixar’s Up) because they have the ability to touch our heart. Besides being love story, Avatar contains brilliantly crafted action sequences. The climax battle scenes are totally mind blowing. While the war between human and Navi rages, you will be supporting the Navis. I guess Avatar will be remembered for the next decade for the breathtaking action sequences. Furthermore, Avatar has great musical scores and matches each scene it’s made for. I’m looking forward to get the tracks.

Most critics said Avatar story has been copied from variety other works. I agree but that doesn’t matter for me. Almost every movie that comes out have similarity with other movies. Pocahontas is one of the adaption for this movie. Though you might find same old thing in Avatar story but the way it’s presented to us will make you praise the movie. James Cameron blended different movies into one. While Pandora can be the creative creation, the rest of the movie is total innovation.

Personally, I love the story line. It’s simple yet keeps the audience entertained for 2 hours 40 minutes. Everything is easy to understand and the movie holds your attention from start until the end. I love every minute of this movie and that resulted in feeling time went too fast.

James Cameron first wrote the script in 1994 and it had leaked on the internet. You can guess the outcomes then. He said the movie was not produced earlier because the technology needs to catch up to allow him use Performance Capture and film them in 3D. Performance Capture is using real cast movement to make the CGI version of them. It’s not only copies the physical movement but the facial expression as well. The Navis in Avatar are casted by real human but in the camera, it shows CGIs. This technology was available earlier but not good enough to make this movie and at the same time, it was too expensive.

Jake (casting by Sam Worthington) takes us on adventurous roller-coaster ride while Neytiri takes us on emotional roller-coaster ride. Neytiri (casting by Zoe Saldana) is the best character in the movie. Her expressions and movements resonates her emotion. Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana has signed for possible sequels. Other great supporting casts are Sigourney Weaver, Joel Moore, Michelle Rodriguez and more. I love the part Michelle Rodriguez said, “I didn’t sign up for this shit.” Some critics says the dialogues in Avatar are cheesy. However, I’m okay with it.

Everyone should watch Avatar. The movie gives the audience more than the trailer had to offer. Watch it in 3D (or at least 2D) while it’s still in cinema. I don’t think DVD will deliver any better experience than I had in cinema. Besides that, DVD might have contents not suitable for children. James Cameron said there might be certain edition of DVD will arrive with scene of Navi making love. Most probably it will be Jake and Neytiri.

Avatar is good choice of movie to watch with anyone. It’s the tale that captures the mind and heart of every age. Avatar makes you feel good, joy and sorrow. The humors will make you laugh out loud. Avatar gives you the opportunity to witness the turning point of film making technology. If you’re young, Avatar will be memorable for you and if you’re old, you’ll thank James Cameron. ;)

Rating: 10/10

Everything is backwards now, like out there is the true world and in here is the dream. – Jake Sully

Now, for some personal post relating to Avatar movie. I’ve been using the name Avatar in Internet Relay Chat (IRC) for years. Some IRC chatters I chat with are too attracted to Navi and Pandora. Here are lines from some of the conversations I had.

Anonymous: Do you know Pandora?
Avatar: Yes, it’s my new hometown.
Anonymous: I love Pandora. Can you take me there?
Avatar: I’m sorry. Pandora doesn’t exist.
Avatar: Even if it exist, it would’ve been destroyed by now.
Anonymous: … That’s true.

Here’s another transcript, conversation with someone who really loves Pandora.

Anonymous: Pandora!
Anonymous: Any beautiful creature there?
Avatar: Not any but MANY!!!
Anonymous: Can you speak Navi language?
Anonymous: Can you speak some?
Avatar: If I speak, you won’t understand.
Avatar: I’m still learning.

Here’s Live Messenger conversation with another friend. I saw her Personal Message said “I love Avatar.” So I sent her IM:

Avatar: Who? Me?
Friend: No! The movie!

LOL.

Update: Original Avatar screenplay, written by James Cameron has been released in digital version (Adobe PDF) by FOX Studio. Download Avatar Screenplay here. I’m not sure if it has 100 percent of the movie, I cannot find certain quotes.

Update: Avatar won Golden Globe Awards for Best Motion Picture (Drama) and James Cameron won the award for Best Director.

Update: As of January 26, 2010; Avatar have officially made Global Box Office Record with $1.859 Billion. It has overtaken Titanic and became highest grossing movie ever. Titanic ($1.843 billion) on the 2nd spot and Avatar on the 1st spot.

Update: As of February 02, 2010; Avatar grossed $2.04 Billion. The first movie ever to be reach the $2 Billion mark.

Update: As of March 01, 2010: Director James Cameron’s 3D Blockbuster says farewell after being on Top Box Office for 11 weeks. The movie surpasses worldwide Box Office record James Cameron had from 1997’s Titanic. Now, Avatar’s worldwide gross reached US $2.5 Billion. It’s huge success for James Cameron.