The Dartmouth Workshop

What happened

A summer research project at Dartmouth College brought together John McCarthy, Marvin Minsky, Nathaniel Rochester, Claude Shannon, and others to explore whether machines could be made to simulate learning and intelligence. The 1955 proposal contained the first use of the phrase 'artificial intelligence.'

Why it matters

Often called the birthplace of AI, the Dartmouth workshop named and launched the field as a distinct area of research.

Sources

• Computer History Museum. The 1956 Dartmouth Workshop and its Immediate Consequences · Reputable source