Jeopardy: The IBM Challenge

[The GIGGAS]

Re: Jeopardy: The IBM Challenge

The algorithms aren't perfect.

Notice that he knew either A) that he couldn't be caught or B) he might not know the answer.

He still dominated, and I look forward to him finishing it off with a dominate performance tomorrow as well.

[superjames1992]

Re: Jeopardy: The IBM Challenge

The algorithms aren't perfect.

Notice that he knew either A) that he couldn't be caught or B) he might not know the answer.

He still dominated, and I look forward to him finishing it off with a dominate performance tomorrow as well.

Oh, I know. I just found it ironic that Watson would nail all of those difficult questions, then miss an easy one. But Watson doesn't "think" like we do, so I guess it makes sense.

[adice15]

Re: Jeopardy: The IBM Challenge

So is the 2nd part on today or tomorrow?

[Beantown]

Re: Jeopardy: The IBM Challenge

2nd part aired today, third and final part airs tomorrow.

[adice15]

Re: Jeopardy: The IBM Challenge

Already? When I googled it, everything said Tuesday night but no specific time.

[Beantown]

Re: Jeopardy: The IBM Challenge

Jeopardy airs at 7:30 every night.

[SqueakyD]

Re: Jeopardy: The IBM Challenge

The computer's found all three daily doubles. I wonder if it has some sort of algorithm to pinpoint possible daily doubles or something. Maybe it's just dominating so hard and eventually stumbled on them.

From the IBM Research Blog:

If Watson gets to choose a category and clue, its first priority is finding any remaining of the three Daily Doubles in a game. ....
The Watson Research team studied the historical distribution of Daily Doubles and found they appear most-frequently in the three bottom rows, with the fourth being the most common. Daily Doubles also most frequently appear in the first column. Watson also makes use of even more statistics to dynamically predict their location based on what has been exposed so far in a game.

This blog also revealed a lot about Watson's betting strategies/algorithms, which is what I was most interested in. Cool stuff.

[Redemption]

Re: Jeopardy: The IBM Challenge

I think the concept behind watson is cool, however, I think the entire premise of the challenge is a bit silly. It's clear that Jennings (and the other guy) knew a ton of the answers but were just physically unable to buzz in faster than the computer. So great, I've now learned that a computer can react faster than a human... fantastic lol

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Jeopardy: The IBM Challenge

I think the concept behind watson is cool, however, I think the entire premise of the challenge is a bit silly. It's clear that Jennings (and the other guy) knew a ton of the answers but were just physically unable to buzz in faster than the computer. So great, I've now learned that a computer can react faster than a human... fantastic lol

That's how it feels to me as well. The whole thing just seems kind of ridiculous after awhile.

[Burns11]

Re: Jeopardy: The IBM Challenge

The blog covers that, and it's obvious that when the humans know the answer they can buzz in before Watson.

One thing I found interesting is that it seemed Watson's wrong answer changed Ken's answer. I don't remember the question but the answer was an art movement. Watson rang in with Picasso, a fairly ridiculous answer, then Ken rang in, hesitated with a puzzled look on his face and said "Cubism". I couldn't help but think he felt he was wrong based on Watson's wrong answer and changed it to Picasso's art movement.

[GoDawgs211]

Re: Jeopardy: The IBM Challenge

From the IBM Research Blog:


This blog also revealed a lot about Watson's betting strategies/algorithms, which is what I was most interested in. Cool stuff.

See I figured they did something like that by watching old shows and matching up the potential spots for daily doubles. I remember yesterday he found the first one right off. It seemed like it was the third or fourth question. Anyways, it's amazing the level of detail that went into this thing and it's potential uses.

[Redemption]

Re: Jeopardy: The IBM Challenge

The blog covers that, and it's obvious that when the humans know the answer they can buzz in before Watson.

sure they "can" buzz in before, but it is apparent that it is very very difficult. One thing I know Jennings does (and I'm sure most other contestants do now) is buzz in as fast as humanly possible when he thinks he'll be able to figure out the answer, and then only after he buzzes in does he think of the answer. The contestants aren't there thinking of the answer before they buzz in. They see a question that they think they'll be able to figure out and they buzz in asap and then come up with the answer. And even still, 9 times out of 10 the computer is quicker.

[Dirty Turtles]

Re: Jeopardy: The IBM Challenge

You could tell Ken was getting frustrated at not being able to buzz in ahead of Watson.

I could tell from the get-go that Watson was looking for the Daily Doubles. He stayed mainly in the 4th slot of each category looking for the area they were most likely to place a DD.

Can't wait to watch it tomorrow. Also I'm glad our syndication airs at 7, so just before you guys start watching it, I'll have known what happens! HAHA

[SPTO]

Re: Jeopardy: The IBM Challenge

I had to laugh at the Final Jeopardy answer by Watson....Damn, even American computers want to annex Canada!

I did feel bad for Ken Jennings though, you could tell he was getting beyond frustrated at the way things were going. At least that Rutter guy didn't seem to be too phased by it.

I'm surprised that they don't just buzz in as soon as they can and then come up with the answer at that point in time rather than waiting, thinking THEN answering. At least that's what i'd try to do.

[Redemption]

Re: Jeopardy: The IBM Challenge

I'm surprised that they don't just buzz in as soon as they can and then come up with the answer at that point in time rather than waiting, thinking THEN answering. At least that's what i'd try to do.

thats the thing... they do do that and they still can't buzz in before watson!

Jennings said in interviews back in 04 when he made his historic run, that he'd buzz in asap on any question he remotely recognized (a category he knew well, a key word he recognized from the question, etc) and then figure out the answer after

In fact, besides being one of the better guys at answering the questions, I'd say Jennings biggest advantage during his run was his quick trigger finger.