"Advances in AI over the past decade have been extraordinary; from the development of bionic sensors and limbs to the placement of robots on Mars.

"However, despite this, robots and computers are still mere extensions of humans, much like puppets - although very sophisticated ones."

Wiliams said some of the remaining obstacles to true AI lie in understanding how knowledge is represented in the human mind, a process that has potential benefits in solving many human problems as well as opening the way to self-aware machines that can think, act and learn independently.

She said some of the challenges include building adaptable robots and intelligent systems that can create and manage their own perceptions and perform in complex and dynamic environments.

"They will need high levels of awareness, and not just knowledge about what they are currently doing, but what they are capable of doing," Williams said.