植入时胚已发育到

Computers, which once only remembered data, will make more decisions. Machines that today tell doctors what symptoms the patients have may soon be recommending whether or not to perform surgery as well. Others will design new buildings after questioning buyers about their preferences. Increasingly, human thought processes and even values are being programmed into computers, according to Earl Joseph, president of a consulting firm. "Imagine machines which are smarter and more intelt than humans and, with their embedded (植入的) initiative, can’t wait to tell you about it," he says.

In everyday life, the future will mean talking directly to computers without pushing buttons. Just tell a toaster, stove or other kitchen device what to do, and it will hear the message. The oven may even decide itself how long to cook the roast. Tell the television, "I want to watch Channel 12 at 8 p.m., but store the show for next week," and the job will be done.

The computer will talk back, too. Already some soft-drink machines complain loudly if you don’t deposit enough cash. At home, a bedside machine may someday tell you, "You forgot to turn off the basement light."