The fundamental shift toward putting the problem-solving before the problem makes the potential applications for such devices practically limitless.

Free from the constraints of explicitly programmed function, computers could gather together disparate information, weigh it based on experience, form memory independently and arguably begin to solve problems in a way that has so far been the preserve of what we call "thinking".

Hope they weren't referring to my cat's brain - every computer will come with its own can opener.

If they model computers after cats' brains, all the mice will be eaten.