The love letter generator created by Alan Turing and Christopher Strachey

In the early 1950s, Alan Turing and Christopher Strachey developed a groundbreaking computer program at the University of Manchester that generated love letters signed by MUC, the Manchester University Computer. This innovation predated modern AI writing like ChatGPT. Turing and Strachey, both gay men, collaborated on various AI experiments, including creating computer-generated music and games. They explored the concept of machine intelligence and free will, with Strachey using a random number generator to develop the world's first computerized love letter generator. This program, while not truly exhibiting free will, demonstrated originality in composing affectionate messages. The love letters, a blend of sentimental and adoring language, reflected a personal dimension for Turing and Strachey, who encoded their queer desires into the computer due to societal restrictions on homosexuality at the time. Despite legal challenges faced by gay men in England during that era, Turing and Strachey's work showcased a unique intersection of technology, creativity, and personal expression, paving the way for future advancements in AI-generated content.