How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Quote #4
AMER: The sixth member of the Discovery crew was not concerned about the problems of hibernation, for he was the latest result in machine intelligence: The HAL 9000 computer, which can reproduce, though some experts still prefer to use the word "mimic," most of the activities of the human brain and with incalculably greater speed and reliability.
We all use words like "intelligence" and "consciousness" when discussing what it means to be alive or human. But do we understand these concepts enough to recognize them in other entities? HAL is introduced to us with this question, as well as the question of whether we could ever create, or would want to create, a conscious machine. Shmoop just has one word to say to you about that: "plastics." Oops, wrong movie again; we meant "singularity". Seriously, check that stuff out.
Quote #5
BOWMAN: How would you account for this discrepancy between you and the twin 9000?
HAL: Well, I don't think there is any question about it. It can only be attributable to human error. This sort of thing has cropped up before and it has always been due to human error.
POOLE: Listen, Hal, there's never been any instance at all of a computer error occurring in a 9000 Series, has there?
HAL: None whatsoever, Frank. The 9000 series has a perfect operational record.
HAL may be a computer, but its internal conflict in 2001 is what we might call an existential crisis.
Quote #6
HAL: This mission is too important for me to allow you to jeopardize it.
BOWMAN: I don't know what you're talking about, HAL.
HAL: I know that you and Frank were planning to disconnect me, and I'm afraid that's something I cannot allow to happen.
BOWMAN: Where the hell did you get that idea, HAL?
HAL: Dave, although you took very thorough precautions in the pod against my hearing you, I could see your lips move.
One of the best pieces of evidence that HAL is a conscious being is its acting in self-preservation mode. In much the same way the hominids killed the others for that life-sustaining water, HAL has killed Poole and is trying to kill Bowman to sustain its own existence.