Re:Jeopardy-Playing Watson Computer System Could Revolutioni...
by radu_floricica on Thursday February 17, 2011 @02:14AM
(#2230174)
A couple of comments:
1. Every completely new technology (and this is truly new) has lots of low hanging fruit to pick which are not obviously at first glance. Jeopardy was a test application and publicity source, but where the real-world applications are, we don't know yet. But it's a safe bet there'll be at least a couple of domains that will be completely revolutionized.
2. The great benefits of AI, like those of computing in general, aren't in AI-only applications. We won't have black box factories any time soon, just as we don't have black box financial systems or medical equipment. The benefits come _always_ from the synergy between human and machine.
So the argument that Watson isn't a real AI doesn't hold water (true Scotsman anyone?). It's an awesome tool, with the potential to work with humans closer, better and on a larger scale then what we have now.
1. Every completely new technology (and this is truly new) has lots of low hanging fruit to pick which are not obviously at first glance. Jeopardy was a test application and publicity source, but where the real-world applications are, we don't know yet. But it's a safe bet there'll be at least a couple of domains that will be completely revolutionized.
2. The great benefits of AI, like those of computing in general, aren't in AI-only applications. We won't have black box factories any time soon, just as we don't have black box financial systems or medical equipment. The benefits come _always_ from the synergy between human and machine.
So the argument that Watson isn't a real AI doesn't hold water (true Scotsman anyone?). It's an awesome tool, with the potential to work with humans closer, better and on a larger scale then what we have now.