Final answer:
The Turing test is used to determine if an AI system can mimic human responses to the point that it is indistinguishable from a human in conversational scenarios. It is a measure of an AI's ability to display human-like intelligence, and results in ongoing debates related to the philosophical and ethical implications of AI in society.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Turing test is used to assess whether an artificial intelligence (AI) system can exhibit human-like intelligence to the extent that its responses are indistinguishable from that of a human. Developed by Alan Turing, the test involves an evaluator who interacts with both a human and an AI system without knowing which is which. If the evaluator cannot reliably tell the AI from the human, the AI is said to have passed the test. Philosophers of mind such as John Searle have argued that AI, even those passing the Turing test, lack true intentionality and consciousness.
Artificial Intelligence can be categorized into four types: reactive machines, limited memory, theory of mind, and self-awareness. Reactive machines respond to stimuli without past experiences; limited memory aids AI in decision-making based on historical data; theory of mind is the concept of AI understanding emotions and people; and self-awareness is the idea of AI having consciousness.
While AI technologies, such as self-driving cars and social media bots, are impactful, the ethical and philosophical implications of AI with advanced capabilities like passing the Turing test are still subjects of debate. Issues such as the possibility of AI rights, the treatment of AI with consciousness, and the overall impact on society are yet uncharted territories that provoke ongoing discussions.