Computers and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Calculating machines or Computers can be built to make many calculations far faster and in far greater numbers than can the human mind. The results can be impressive from cross checking large and varied data sources, through playing chess, to flying an aircraft, and much more. The results can look like thinking, for example playing chess. However, are the processes anything more than very rapid multiple calculations? Not even with the much vaunted AI. AI’s results are impressive and will become more so as the underlying machines, data sets, and programming advance. However it is applied statistics, as many have pointed out including eminent science-fiction writers.

AI has no agency.

At what point could a machine understand and act upon a general principle rather than specific albeit highly complex programming? Might this be the line or area beyond which a machine might be said to think?