What primary, simple techniques did Joseph Weizenbaum's ELIZA utilize for conversation?

Answer

Pattern matching and substitution

ELIZA, developed by Joseph Weizenbaum in 1966, relied on relatively unsophisticated mechanisms for generating responses, specifically pattern matching and substitution techniques. This approach allowed it to simulate the style of a Rogerian psychotherapist by reflecting user statements back as questions, such as turning an input like 'I am sad' into a response like 'Why do you think you are sad?'. Although the underlying logic was shallow—it did not possess true comprehension—these simple structural transformations were surprisingly effective at sustaining the illusion of engagement, leading users to become emotionally invested in the interaction.

What primary, simple techniques did Joseph Weizenbaum's ELIZA utilize for conversation?
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