Last year we ran a post about an IBM computer called Watson, which was being prepped to take on the game of Jeopardy!. Of course Watson is being groomed for a much wider variety of uses, but Jeopardy! seems to be the ultimate test for this computer, which can analyze and interpret the often witty and allusive questions.According to a story in the New York Times magazine, Watson will be ready to appear on the show this fall. He'll be matched up with some former champions who have not yet been named (though the article heavily suggests that Ken Jennings is one of them). The piece also highlights some of the questions that Watson has trouble with, and illustrates how "he" comes up with answers.
Jeopardy! has a history of experimenting and embracing new technolgies, so this sounds like a perfect fit for the show. Watson runs on a sizable array of servers and runs hundreds of algorithms simultaneously, but he's not hooked up to the internet. Just like human contestants, whatever knowledge is stored in his database/"brain" is what he has to work with.
We'll let you know when official details start to emerge!
Photo courtesy Sony Electronics
Comments
I’m sorry if this was in the article, but how will Watson buzz in?
Watson gets the clue send to him via text, and they’ve apparently set him up so that he can buzz in electronically.
What I’m not sure of, however, is how he’s going to wager.
If it runs anything like the online demo, Watson won’t be able to respond faster than Alex reads the question, and the contestants will be able to easily beat Watson to the buzzer.
I agree about the wagering, the human element is completely out of it for Watson on that in regards to daily doubles, and Watson will not be playing with strategy throughout the game.
We can count on the fact that Watson will be able to be one of the few contestants in the history of the show to know how to bet in Final Jeopardy.
I’m assuming they aren’t going to pair it up in a “regular” game with two brand new contestants and it’s going to be playing only against former champions/big winners when it goes on stage?
That’s right Joe – and I got the impression it would be more than one episode that will feature Watson, but don’t quote me on that.
Oh please, say it isn’t so! Please tell me that Ken Jennings is not returning! Another 8 months of constant Ken, Ken, Ken!! I don’t think I could take Ken to be the champion, over, and over and over again! Kind of like a combination of a bad movie, a broken record and De-ja’vu, all mixed up in one bag!! Lord help us!!