Comment by colllectorof

>These evolutionary computer systems may almost appear to demonstrate a kind of sentience as they dispense graceful solutions to complex problems.

Stanislaw Lem wrote about this in Summa Technologiae. He looked at evolution as an alternative way to acquire knowledge (alternative to intelligence). Interestingly, this implies there could be other ways too. But the point is, he postulated that both are examples of the same class of phenomena, which is a fascinating way to look at it.

(He did write about artificial evolution as well. And simulation. In 1964. That book aged extremely well and is full of interesting ideas.)