The original version of this story appeared in Quanta Magazine. Pose a question to a Magic 8 Ball, and it’ll answer yes, no, or something annoyingly indecisive. We think of it as a kid’s toy, but ...

Magicians have long relied on sleight of hand and deception to thrill their audiences but they may now have another tool in their box of tricks – a computer. Scientists have for the first time “taught ...