The Lighthill Debate on AI from 1973: An Introduction and Transcript Introduction (by Jeffrey Emanuel) In 1973, the British scientist James Lighthill published a report on the state of artificial intelligence research in the UK. The report was highly critical of the field, and led to a significant reduction in funding for AI research in the UK. The report was controversial, and led to a debate between Lighthill and several leading AI researchers, including John McCarthy, the creator of the LISP ...