All programs act like they are smart, in reality they can only do what they are told. Heck, computers cant even generate real random numbers.

It would just be something that is asked a question, if it doesnt know it will ask you for an answer. When that question is asked again it will give an answer, you can then say its wrong and give it another answer. It will base answers off of number of "correct" answers told to it.

edit: Those AIML bots arent much more then that, they just can their answers via XML.

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The tool I likely used to answer your question.