Has it been theoretically proven or dis-proven that a machine can generally think and communicate on its own? I am not looking for proof of AI (too broad, I know) concepts trying to solve a specific business problem, instead for a proof (or dis-proof) or a model (or a source of the same) where a machine is capable of 


General thinking and decision making.
Collecting data as it see fit (use any channel at their disposal).
Communicate as it see fit (with whom, how, where and when).
Develop and evolve an agenda.


Note - I wrote an article more than 5 years ago - why a software cannot be intelligent. Since then I have not read a convincing argument against it.

Edit

Intelligence is the ability to take a decision in the unseen, unfamiliar, and unvisited circumstances. So, my definition of Artificial intelligence is - a machine doing essentially the same (doing, not replicating or simulating). 

I am looking for a proof or disproof that machine is capable of doing things (written above), not the following


Instances where machine as simulated a certain aspect or property of intelligence.
Machine replicating a certain human behavior to achieve a goal.
We have not been able to create a truly intelligent AI yet, according to your definition. So we have no real life proof-of-concept that shows that it actually works.

But based on the current research, there is no known property of the human brain that cannot be modeled in software/hardware. We do not understand the human brain enough yet - and most likely lack the computational power and required storage - to create an artificial copy. But as long as we do not identify a property of the human brain that cannot be translated into a piece of software/hardware, it is most likely possible. I honestly cannot even imagine such a property within the bounds of physics that would create such a barrier.

Of course this is no formal proof, but without a clearly identified show-stopper there is no reason to believe that it is not possible to create a thinking machine.