A.I. and the Search for the Human

The world was startled in the past few months by the abilities now achieved by artificial intelligence. Chatbot programs can write competent sonnets on command and whole essays on almost any conceivable topic. This is an advance over the wonder expressed previously over computer supremacy at mere chess. Immediately, the public asks when these robots will qualify as humans dictating affairs, which in turn, raises the profound question of what in fact constitutes humanity or is essential to it. What must we know and protect?