The idea of a child android programmed to love, as in Steven Spielberg's film AI, may seem like pure science fiction. But this may become a reality sooner than we think, according to Jack Dunietz, a hi-tech entrepreneur and president of an Israeli-based company called Artificial Intelligence (Ai). His team of scientists have designed a computer program based on a set of behavioural algorithms that enable the computer to learn language the same way humans do, starting from scratch. Up until now, computer analysts have provided programs with built-in grammatical rules. This is the first time a program has been based on the developmental language learning of humans.

Early 16th Century Hans Bullmann creates the first androids - simulated people that can play musical instruments for the delight of paying customers. While training as a Jesuit, Jacques Vaucanson creates flying angels which cause him to be thrown out of the order. Five years later, funding is cancelled when the shortcomings of the machine become apparent. Academics start to concentrate on small, smart useful robots rather than simulated people. Genghis, one of the first walking robots created by the mobile robots lab at MIT, makes its debut.