Man Vs. Machine
For decades, computer science engineers have been trying to simulate the central property of humans – Intelligence. In the mid 1950’s, the first programs that could play a full game of chess were developed and now there is a new beast. Its name is Watson. Named after IBM founder Thomas J. Watson and programmed by 25 IBM scientists, the supercomputer is one of the most advanced systems on Earth.
Airing in February, IBM’s celebrated supercomputer Watson will compete against Jeopardy champions Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter. During a demonstration round, Watson defeated the two Jeopardy champions.
Dr. John E. Kelly III, IBM Senior Vice President and Director of IBM Research said, “We are at a very special moment in time… where computers and computer technology now have approached humans. We have created a computer system that has the ability to understand natural human language, which is a very difficult thing for computers to do.”
-Heidi Christensen, PEI
