Research in automation focuses on systems which are capable of solving very complex tasks and problems. Artificial Intelligence and especially Cognitive Science have brought remarkable successes; however, in some areas the boarders of feasibility and further extension are reached. Compared to human intelligence the range of capabilities of the solutions is still modest. In the following we will argue why we see the necessity to introduce a novel approach for creating models, which possibilities and tools computer engineering can offer, why a psychoanalytical template is considered meaningful, and which open problems could be tackled or even broken through with this approach, respectively. The article is based on comprehensive research results in the course of several research projects including a European one. Involved persons originate from a number of research institutions in Austria, South Africa, and Canada.

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Abstract. Artificial Intelligence, the big promise of the last millennium, has apparently made its way into our daily lives. Cell phones with speech control, evolutionary computing in data mining or power grids, optimized via neural network, show its applicability in industrial environments. The original expectation of true intelligence and thinking machines lies still ahead of us. Researchers are, however, optimistic as never before. This paper tries to compare the views, challenges and approaches of several disciplines: engineering, psychology, neuroscience, philosophy. It gives a short introduction to Psychoanalysis, discusses the term consciousness, social implications of intelligent machines, related theories, and expectations and shall serve as a starting point for first attempts of combining these diverse thoughts.