[jcollins1991]

(ignoring the translation to a representation a machine can understand) asking when the best time to sow crops requires domain knowledge and lots of analysis, asking to be called upon a certain event is simply implementing a rule.

Sure, something like Siri could be incredibly useful in the future if we can architect it properly, but comparing the current "personal assistant" to a knowledge engine that can answer any possible question is like comparing a Wright Brothers plane to a modern fighter jet.

TLDR: author goes far overboard with his conclusion, nothing new ...

[stritar]

I think the biggest challenge for software is understanding the question, not actually giving results to a query.

Do you remember Watson and Jeopardy? All errors it made came from not knowing what it was asked.

Have you tried Siri? It really can give quite surprising responses to complex questions.