Wow, this topic has been going on for over half a decade!
I have found the default "infant" brain to be quite useless and therefore; not worth purchasing.

I need something that will be useful right away...
Anyone interested in an LCARS shell?
http://www.lcarsx32.comand now my 2 1/2 cents worth on AI..
I do not doubt the possibility of genuine AI, but I have my reservations of it being possible with current processor technology. Processors are made of millions of microscopic transistors. Transistors are limited to ON or OFF (Binary). There is no "middle ground" or "gray area". Only "yes or no"; "true or false". I believe that will hinder true intelligence, much less, emotions.
I think what is needed is a reinvention of the processor that is compossed of synthetic nuerons. Something that would better imitate the processes that occure in the Human (upper life forms) brains.
As for the original post in this thread... I think he's on to something. With Hal using something like P2P to share learned data, it would greatly reduce the amount of training necessary by each individual owner. It would still be people doing the training/teaching, but with 1000+ people teaching your Hal as well as their own... That would be awesome!
That wouldn't necessarily affect your personal preferences or even your Hal's personality. It would just give 'him' more data to draw intelligent responses from.
Knowing the difference between a noun and verb, etc. should be preprogrammed if it is not. (don't plug in the database from MS Office grammer checker!) Maybe a plug in from whitesmoke. <-- I don't know how good it is, but it better be perfection for $80+ !
There are a number of algorithims for intelligent choosing and learning here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_neural_network also a great deal of info about AI in wikipedia. I don't know if any of that applies here.
I believe that sensory input other than keyboard/mouse is essential to AI. Not only could it learn from experiencing sensory input; it is manditory!
Many have touched on the subject of AI being "human like". I would be happy if my computer were as smart as a Parrot.
Btw, intelligence is NOT the measure of knowledge, but rather the ability to aquire knowledge.
An old man who has great quantities of knowledge has proved his intelligence.
The intelligence of a newborn cannot be assertained because he has not had time to gather information/data/knowledge.
Wisdom is the ability to USE knowledge (and experience) for the greater good. This requires moral understanding which requires emotion.
So, how long must we (or our progeny) wait for AW? ....Well, I think we better concentrate on intelligence for the time being.
I think I had more to say, but forgot some things that were said after reading four pages. Oh well...
My software ideas:
http://adsa.myfreeforum.org/New_Software_Ideas_about78.html