Did you see WATSON on Jeopardy 2/14-16/2011?

If not, tune it in. A huge IBM supercomputer with 4 years of team programming is taking on two of Jeopardy's reigning champions. The take their time and show scenes of the computer, some of the practice games and show part of the though processes on the bottom of the screen. REALLY COOL

You can get some online videos by searching "jeopardy watson"

I remember a BASIC program called ELIZA from the 60's. It was a therapist to talk too that basically parroted what you said. "I'm feeling really low today" "Gee, I sorry you are feeling so low. Can you tell me more" We have come a long way.