Chatting with a Machine: Exploring Cleverbot.com

Launched in 2008, Cleverbot.com is a website that lets you converse with an early example of conversational AI, or chatbot, technology. Unlike some chatbots that deliver pre-programmed responses, Cleverbot takes a more interesting approach – it learns from its interactions.

Here's how it works: When you type a message, Cleverbot dives into its memory bank of past conversations, searching for similar phrases or keywords. It then crafts a response based on how a human responded in those previous chats. This allows Cleverbot to mimic human conversation patterns, making the interaction more engaging than simply picking from a menu of pre-set answers.

For those who prefer mobile chatting, Cleverbot offers apps for iOS, Android, and Windows Phone devices. While Cleverbot was a forerunner in the chatbot world, it's important to note that advancements in AI have led to the development of more sophisticated chatbots that may utilize more powerful techniques.

So, if you're curious about early AI and want to try your hand at conversing with a machine, Cleverbot.com is a good place to start. Just remember, there are more advanced chatbots out there waiting to be explored as well.