The basic idea for this software comes from a project by Joseph Weizenbaum, Professor of Computer Science at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The computer doesn't actually understand or know anything. If you have students who are beginning to get a little bored with the same old typing exercises, you might give Conversation Piece a chance. You won't find a better way to help people use keyboards to communicate their thoughts and ideas, even if they are having fun. Every conversation with this program is delightfully different.
Responses depend on the subjects discussed, and can vary over a wide range of topics.
In this typical conversation, the computer's half of the dialog is shown in green. I don't know what to say to a computer. I don't believe this. Don't change beliefs, transform the believer. That sounds wise.