paperclip maximizer

A paperclip maximizer is when a computer program (or robot) is programmed to try to make as many paperclips as possible. The computer program (or robot) looks at the resources that it has and decides how to use them to make the most paperclips it can. So, if you give the computer program (or robot) some materials like paper, glue and scissors, it will try to figure out the best way to use those materials to make the most paperclips.