Reviving ELIZA: The Grandmother of AI Returns After Nearly 60 Years

The Rediscovery of ELIZA, the World’s First Chatbot

In an astonishing breakthrough, researchers have successfully revived ELIZA, the world’s first chatbot, using long-lost computer code found in MIT archives. Developed in the 1960s by MIT Professor Joseph Weizenbaum, ELIZA was one of the earliest attempts at artificial intelligence (AI) and was designed to simulate a psychotherapist by engaging users in simple text-based conversations.

ELIZA's original code was written in the now-obsolete MAD-SLIP programming language, making its recovery and restoration a significant technological milestone. After being lost for decades, the 420-line code was rediscovered in 2021 by Jeff Shrager, a cognitive scientist at Stanford University, and Myles Crowley, an MIT archivist. Their efforts, combined with years of debugging and emulator development, led to ELIZA running successfully once again on December 21, 2024.

Reconstructing the AI Pioneer

Bringing ELIZA back to life required researchers to build an emulator capable of replicating a 1960s computing environment. The revival process was meticulous, ensuring that the chatbot functioned precisely as it did in its original form. Despite its simplicity compared to today’s AI models like Siri or ChatGPT, ELIZA remains an essential part of AI history.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the revival was the decision to leave a bug in the code unfixed. According to Shrager, modifying ELIZA would compromise its historical authenticity, similar to altering an iconic piece of art. This approach highlights the importance of preserving the chatbot's original integrity as a tribute to its groundbreaking legacy.

ELIZA’s Influence on Modern AI

ELIZA’s impact on the field of artificial intelligence cannot be overstated. The chatbot's "DOCTOR" script was programmed to mimic a Rogerian psychotherapist, responding to user inputs with pre-defined phrases such as "Please tell me your problem." This interactive experience demonstrated the potential of natural language processing and laid the foundation for future advancements in AI-driven conversation systems.

Although ELIZA was simplistic compared to modern AI, its fundamental principles continue to influence contemporary chatbots and virtual assistants. The rediscovery and revival of ELIZA serve as a reminder of how early AI experiments shaped the digital landscape we navigate today.

Preserving AI History for Future Generations

This revival project underscores the significance of archiving digital innovations. AI history is often overshadowed by rapid advancements, yet understanding its origins is crucial to appreciating the evolution of technology. ELIZA’s resurrection provides valuable insights into the progression of artificial intelligence and reinforces the importance of preserving early digital artifacts.

The successful restoration of ELIZA is more than a technical achievement—it is a tribute to the pioneers of AI and a source of inspiration for future researchers. As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, revisiting its foundational milestones allows us to appreciate the innovations that paved the way for today’s intelligent systems.

With ELIZA once again operational, researchers hope this project will encourage the preservation of early AI programs, ensuring that the roots of artificial intelligence remain an integral part of technological heritage.