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Dictionary entry

Moravec's paradox

noun \mȯ-ˈrä-vəks ˈper-ə-ˌdäks\
TopicRobotics & Physical AI First known use1988 Senses1
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Definition of Moravec's paradox

  1. : the observation that tasks humans find hard, like chess or math, are relatively easy for computers, while tasks humans find effortless, like walking or folding laundry, are very hard

    • AI can pass a law exam but still can't reliably fold a towel—Moravec's paradox.
    • Robotics startups live inside Moravec's paradox.

Origin & history

first known use1988

Named after roboticist Hans Moravec, who described it in his 1988 book 'Mind Children'.

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Related terms

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Cite this entry

"Moravec's paradox." AI Dictionary, Dadgogo, https://dadgogo.com/dictionary/moravecs-paradox/. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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