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Tel-Aviv, 10 March 2010 – International Language Machines Ltd. ("ILM") today announced iHal, a new platform for the iPhone and iPod touch, available now on the Apple App Store.

iHal is a conversational learning algorithm, trained to acquire any language from a human trainer. Users start with a fresh copy of Hal, and teach him to speak, while shaping his personality. Hal learns from each input, and gets better by the minute!

A Hal personality can speak virtually any language. The only requirement is for the iPhone to have the appropriate alphabet installed. Users can train personalities to speak English, Finnish, Hindu and even Gibberish. Hals can be brought up to become cynic, funny or morbid. The sky is the limit. And just like it is with humans, no two Hals are alike.

The way Hal learns is by trial and error: When Hal reproduces a correct or appropriate response, the user simply goes on with the conversation. Correcting Hal and teaching it a better response is easy – a simple tap on the false response and it becomes editable.

iHal is based on Hal, Ai’s artificial intelligence engine, in development since 2000. While being a fun and addictive language game, iHal enables users to take part in a serious scientific experiment. Since iHal’s brain is located on a remote server, users must be connected to the Internet (either through WiFi or 3G) in order to use it. Trainers that have created a mature iHal personality can share it with other trainers in a public "Hal Nursery".