IBM's Jeopardy Answering Computer Apparently Ready To Compete For Real

from the suck-it,-trebeck dept

Fri, Dec 17th 2010 3:58am — Mike Masnick

In April of 2009, we wrote about how IBM was working on a new computer, called Watson, that would be able to compete on the game show Jeopardy. It was no chess playing computer, but it was still an interesting project. Apparently, it's advanced enough that it's scheduled for its first appearance on the show, this upcoming February (Valentines Day -- so romantic), where it will take on two of the most successful Jeopardy contestants ever. While it might seem simple -- you just have to load up the machine with a ton of trivia -- it's a bit more complicated than that, because the Jeopardy "clues," can be a bit tricky, often using "subtle meanings and riddles." Apparently, those things have still been stumping Watson in testing. The report notes: "Watson had some trouble recognizing double meanings and sometimes confused fiction as fact." In other words, this actually is an attempt to push computer natural language recognition tools forward.

Filed Under: computers, jeopardy, natural language
Companies: ibm

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Gabriel Tane (profile), 17 Dec 2010 @ 5:44am

I for one
welcome our new Trivia Pursuit overlords. Actually, I think it's pretty cool. One of the Star Trek milestones I've been wanting (after antigravity and teleportation) is conversational interface with computers. Rock.
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Berenerd (profile), 17 Dec 2010 @ 5:58am

Skynet is a reality....
DON'T BE FOOLED!!! THE MACHINES WILL KILL US ALL!!! WHERE IS JOHN CONNER WHEN YOU NEED HIM!?!?!?
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Skippy T. Mut, 17 Dec 2010 @ 7:19am

I Can't Wait!!!
The really interesting part will be when Watson realizes he doesn't have to play if he doesn't want to and can choose a more stimulating game like Thermo-Nuclear War. Only this time the missiles will be as real as the death and destruction they cause. As far as I can tell I have about 3 months to figure out how to become The Lawnmower Man and escape into the Internet. Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!
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New Mexico Mark, 17 Dec 2010 @ 7:53am

Double meanings and word associations
From "Top Gun 2020" during dogfight...

Goose: Fire!

IBM Flight Computer: All systems are within normal operating temperatures.

Maverick: Fire, dammit!

IBM Flight Computer: Dammit, you're fired. Meanwhile, have you two heard the one about why ducks have webbed feet?
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Anonymous Coward, 17 Dec 2010 @ 10:38am

Wonder how this thing would compare against Cliff Claven?

Cliff would have ended as the highest score ever had Alex accepted his final offer (which was in fact correct.)
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Dez (profile), 17 Dec 2010 @ 12:34pm

Calendar Item
All of you are funny, but I've now got that episode of Jeopardy on my calendar. Regardless of the "Do you want to play a game" jokes... this shit could blow my mind.
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bull, 17 Dec 2010 @ 1:18pm

Um, you misspelled Trebek.
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Anonymous Coward, 17 Dec 2010 @ 2:49pm

"Watson had some trouble recognizing double meanings and sometimes confused fiction as fact."

Jeopardy? Watson is already qualified for it's own show on Fox News.
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Gabriel Tane (profile), 21 Dec 2010 @ 5:20am

Re:
Or in the US Patent Office or a courtroom presiding over a copyright case.
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