ABSTRACT
T he idea of “thinking machines” can be traced back to the ancient civilisations. Around 2,500 BC the Egyptians built statues containing hidden priests who espoused advice to citizens. A bust
of one of these gods, Re-Harmakis, can be seen in the Cairo Museum. The secret of its “genius” is an opening at the nape of the neck, just large enough to hide the priest. The existence of these statues confirms the belief held by ancient civilisations, in the idea of man-made objects that can think.
