The goal is to create "intelligent" computers that can handle simple tasks, such as correcting system failures and warding off attacks from hackers, without human intervention.
Science fiction is rife with intelligent, self-aware computers, from the benevolent "Mike" of Robert A. Heinlein's The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress to the murderous HAL 9000 in Arthur C.
Potential targets will multiply as computers assume greater control over ever more operations in our society, from traffic management to intelligent buildings to robotic surgery.