Wolfram to launch "computational knowledge engine"

Wolfram Research, the makers of Mathematica, are at work on an ambitious new project that's due to launch in May. It's a "computational knowledge engine." What does a computational knowledge engine do? Wolfram is making as much human knowledge as they can manage computable by the new program, called Wolfram Alpha. Basically, you can ask it a question using natural language and it will give you an answer.

Wolfram Alpha would be quite groundbreaking. Search has come a long way, but Wolfram points out that so far it can only handle questions other people have already asked and answered. A computational knowledge engine might actually be able to provide new answers. So far, the project's site is just a skeleton, but you can request access to test it before it opens to the public.

[via Slashdot]

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