A. M. Turing

Alan M. Turing was a pioneering mathematician and computer scientist who helped lay the foundations of modern computers. During World War II, he developed techniques to decode the German encryption machine, significantly aiding the Allied war effort. Turing also introduced the concept of a universal machine—an idea that was fundamental to how computers process information today. His work in artificial intelligence explored whether machines could think, leading to the famous “Turing Test” to measure a machine's ability to exhibit human-like intelligence. Overall, his contributions revolutionized computing, programming, and our understanding of machines and intelligence.