We are animals as well, so a pedantic answer would be "yes." :-)
My actual answer is the origin of the thought process began by Norvig stating:
But none of them were able to write a program that finds the solution.
So while the concept of "need" is shared across many entities and widely applicable to many conversations, in this context it serves as a root cause answering "why write a program."
The codification of a solution.
What is a solution?
An answer to a problem.
What is a problem?
The identification and expression of a need to be satisfied.
What is a need?
A uniquely human experience, one which only exists within the minds of people whom experience it.