Automatons – the “A.I.” of Ancient Greek Mythology?

An Attic red-figure vase of the early fourth century BC depicting the death of Talos, the bronze automaton guardian of the island of Crete.

Automatons were lifelike machines designed to perform tasks such as protection, entertainment, or assistance. This is similar to the purpose for which we build AI today. Automatons were mentioned in Greek myths as early as the 8th century BC, during Homer’s time. The modern definition of automaton today is a self-operating machine made to imitate […]