Alain Colmerauer

computer scientist

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 19, 2026

Quick Summary

Alain Colmerauer was a computer scientist who, along with Robert Kowalski, developed the logic programming language PROLOG (Programmation en Logique). Conceived by Colmerauer at the University of Aix-Marseille, France, PROLOG was first implemented in 1973. This language utilizes a powerful theorem-proving technique called resolution. PROLOG can ascertain if a statement logically follows from other given statements, making it widely used for artificial intelligence (AI) work, particularly in Europe and Japan.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

artificial intelligence programming language
…en Logique) was conceived by Alain Colmerauer at the University of Aix-Marseille, France, where the language was first implemented in 1973. PROLOG was further developed by the logician Robert Kowalski, a member of the AI group at the University of Edinburgh. This language makes use of a powerful theorem-proving technique…
Read More
…en Logique) was conceived by Alain Colmerauer at the University of Aix-Marseille, France, where the language was first implemented in 1973. PROLOG was further developed by the logician Robert Kowalski, a member of the AI group at the University of Edinburgh. This language makes use of a powerful theorem-proving technique…
Read More