Douglas Lenat

Doug was one of the most brilliant people I've known, a true genius. We worked together on several projects concerning AI applications to strategic analysis, notably in the national security arena. And we started a consulting company in the 1980s comprised of some of the seminal minds in AI and focussed on applications to strategic analysis. Doug was a remarkable and courageous visionary, and a delightful personality, a pioneer who sought to bring common sense knowledge to the creation of a truly robust AI: an absolutely crucial project. He never wavered from this hurculean task he early set for himself, and his great, demanding progress in this monumental endeavor is truly a major contribution to AI. I miss him greatly but take solace in knowing that his ideas and implementations will carry us further. May he Rest In Peace.

I recently started in the world of AI from another industry and came across Douglas Lenat's name in a talk by Richard Feynman on 'Can machines think?'. I took a chance by emailing some questions I had about his work with Cyc and Cycorp and he was kind enough to respond to my questions even though I am no one of any importance and had nothing to trade or contribute in return for his time. The fact that he was willing to be so generous with his time and happy to respond to some random person despite the fact that he will probably be in the category of genius who was not appreciated in his time, shows to me his depth of character. My condolences to those who knew him well and loved him.

I was fortunate to know Doug since my days in the Office of Research and Development in the early 1980s. Last November I had brunch with Doug and Mary in Austin. I always was impressed with his brilliance, openness, accessibility, and creativity. One memory stands out - I went to Austin to talk with him about some issue and after meeting with Craig Fields, somebody took me to see Doug. He was in a meeting room off the cafeteria and they were filming a conversation on some aspect of AI. Doug said, I saved you a seat (next to him) and he encouraged me to jump in. To say the conversation was over my head would be an understatement. He made me feel comfortable and I mostly listened and definitely learned. We will all miss him on several levels.

My condolences.

R.I.P. Douglas

A brilliant and innovative mind. His work in AI is particularly noteworthy. Condolences to the Lenat family, truly sorry for your loss, may God be with you all.