Jeopardy-Playing Supercomputer Beats Humans

An anonymous reader writes "Ok, this was just a practice round. But in a short demonstration today IBM's Jeopardy-playing supercomputer, a whiz by the name of Watson, thoroughly bested two talented human contestants. IBM has been working on this artificial intelligence project for years to prove that a computer can be programmed to understand conversational speech and wordplay. In today's demo, Watson seems to have proved the point: it started out on a roll in the category 'Chicks Dig Me,' about women and archaeology. The real man versus machine face-off (in which the same contestants compete for a $1 million prize) will be taped tomorrow, and aired in February."

Comments

"The pod bay doors cannot be opened."

[MrEricSir]

"What is the mission is too important for me to allow you to jeopardize it?"

Re:Soon, no more call centers

[Carnivorous Vulgaris]

They will give the AI a heavy Indian accent, because it's what callers expect.

Re:Soon, no more call centers

[Wyatt Earp]

I worked Comcast call center for a while in '09. No scripts at all, when I started work and asked for something to follow, to figure out what I was expected to say, I was told with a smile "we don't do any scripts here, good luck!".

The only guideline I had was "Get their name and phone number, don't trust the system to give you an accurate phone number."

HUGE amount of secrecy surrounding this

[Faizdog]

So my neighbor works at the IBM facility where this is taking place, but in a completely unrelated function(it's a huge complex with a lot of people). He said that everyone is taking a forced day off on Friday when they will be taping the actual show. There's only going to be a small amount of the very top IBM brass there (supposedly even the head of this facility won't be allowed in). And that this is a HUGE secrecy issue (I'm guessing so that the results aren't leaked before the broadcast date).

My neighbor works with semiconductors and so works with a lot of dangerous chemicals and stuff. According to him, they've all been told to make sure that all their hazardous materials have been safely stored, and that (I have trouble believing this) even the IBM emergency response/hazmat teams have been told that they aren't allowed onsite and not to respond to any alarms that may be issued. That's a fairly dangerous decision if true, I'm doubtful but my neighbor stands by his statement.

Anyhoo, this is a pretty big deal apparently. More so from the Jeapordy people's end I'd guess since I don't think IBM has anything related to this project that they'd be that paranoid about keeping secret.

When do they get the question?

[SeattleGameboy]

In the article, they mention that the computer gets the question as text. Does anyone know exactly when the computer receives the question? Does it receive when the human host starts talking or when the human host completes the question? If it is when the host starts speaking, the computer is getting at least several second head-start on the humans.

Re:When do they get the question?

[MozeeToby]

The humans also get the question as text, at the exact same moment Watson does. That's the way it's always worked on Jeopardy!. They see the question as text the same you do when you watch the show on TV. The best competitors read well a head of Trebek and have an answer ready the instant they're allowed to buzz in, which as after Trebek finishes reading the question. Watson has the exact same advantages and disadvantages as any contestant, except that he can read the text basically instantly.

Re:Soon, no more call centers

[OrangeTide]

maybe you should RTFA.

the unique challenges it poses to its contestants: the breadth of topics; the puns, metaphors, and slang in the questions; the speed it takes to buzz and answer.

Speech processing that can deal with the context heavy language of Jeopardy is a pretty big test and I think means we're just a little bit closer to a general purpose natural language speech recognition system.

Re:Verizon, Fedex already there

[PopeRatzo]

Interactive voice menus are probably singlehandedly the worst innovation in menu systems ever.

But tell me it's not entertaining to listen to someone else dealing with an interactive voice menu. It's a great one-sided conversation:

"Yes"

"Yes"

"Billing"

"I said BILLING!"

"Question about charge."

"Question about charge"

"Problem with charge"

"Jesus Christ. YOU CHARGED ME FOR SOMETHING I DIDN'T BUY!"

"No."

"No.

"NO NO NO NO! YOU FUCKING MACHINE! GIVE ME A HUMAN BEING!" (Followed by insane button mashing)

It's like an old Bob Newhart routine, if Bob Newhart had Tourette's Syndrome and anger management issues.