When robot history comes to be written, April 2009 will occupy a prominent place. Future robots will look back, perhaps with pride, at the events of this month. A robot has been created that has, for the first time, independently advanced scientific knowledge.
We've already got robots that build cars, robots that look like women, robots that help around the house and robot pets. Soon we'll have robots that can baby-sit and nurse us. But robot scientists? It's a moment that science-fiction writers have anticipated for years, and it's exciting to see it happen in real life.
In fact, the news of the robo-scientist will encourage those who believe — and those who hope — that the next great turning point in human history is almost upon us.