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May 18, 2013

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Ken Jennings Embraces Watson: 'I For One Welcome Our New Computer Overlords' (VIDEO)

by Jason Hughes, posted Feb 16th 2011 11:32PM

Ken Jennings, 'Jeopardy!' IBM supercomputer artificial intelligence WatsonIBM's supercomputer artificial intelligence Watson certainly made an impression on 'Jeopardy!' (Weeknights, 7PM ET on ABC) record holder Ken Jennings. The championship streak record holder made a bold, but submissive statement in presenting his answer in Final Jeopardy.

It was an answer that would put him in the lead, but Watson was yet to answer. The correct answer was 'Who is Bram Stoker?' Jennings got it right, but added a paranthetical aside to the supercomputer on his left side.

(I for one welcome our new computer overlords)

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TV 101: Rise of the Machines?

by Dr. Ryan Vaughan, PhD (no, seriously), posted Feb 16th 2011 2:00PM

Watson Jeopardy
As you may or may not know, brainiacs Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter (uber-nerds sent here from another planet to embarrass earthlings on 'Jeopardy!') are currently embroiled in a cross-species test of intellect, facing off against the IBM supercomputer, Watson.

Yes, we've reached a point in our culture that robots and machines should be considered another species altogether. On the surface, this might seem like just another TV gimmick designed to draw in viewers -- no different than a "very special" episode of 'Two and a Half Men' or those "Who can eat more hot dogs -- a fat guy or a bear being starved in captivity?" shows -- a closer look reveals a competition, the implications of which could fundamentally alter the course of humanity.

The future of mankind may basically come down to a Daily Double about President Van Buren.

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Watson Dominates on Day Two Against 'Jeopardy!' Champs (VIDEO)

by Jason Hughes, posted Feb 16th 2011 12:32AM

IBM Supercomputer artificial intelligence Watson, 'Jeopardy!'Yesterday, IBM's artificial intelligence program Watson was able to hang in there competitively with two of the best players to ever grace the 'Jeopardy!' (Weeknights. 7PM on ABC) stage. He managed a tie with all-time points leader Brad Rutter at $5,000.

On its second day on the show, Watson blew the competition out of the water, and seemed more human than ever. Is this the origins of Skynet? Or maybe Watson is a beta version of a Cylon.

Watson made an educated guess at one point, and even got it right. But he proved a savvy player of the game in Final Jeopardy. Up substantially over his opponents, Watson wasn't sure of his answer, so it chose to play it safe with a paltry wager.

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'Jeopardy!' Champions Vs. Watson: Can Man Defeat a Machine?

by Danny Gallagher, posted Feb 11th 2011 3:30PM

Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter take on IBM's Who is Watson?

Answer: The name of the supercomputer specifically designed by IBM to mimic a human's intelligence-gathering and reasoning skills. And it is competing on 'Jeopardy!' next week against super-champions Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter.

Starting Monday, Feb. 14 (syndicated, check listings), Jennings and Rutter will match their vast stores of trivia knowledge against Watson in a three-day, two-game tournament. The grand total winner of the tournament gets $1 million with $300,000 for second place and $200,000 for third. The two humans have vowed to donate half of their winnings to charity and IBM will donate its entire pot.

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'Jeopardy!'-Playing Computer Owns Two 'Jeopardy!' Champions; Is Humanity Next?

by Danny Gallagher, posted Jan 14th 2011 3:00PM

Ken Jennings vs. Watson on a dry run of Awhile back when news of IBM's "Watson," the computer designed specifically to compete as a 'Jeopardy!' contestant, first surfaced, I actually tried to reach out to champion Ken Jennings for his reactions to it. He declined the opportunity saying that the people at 'Jeopardy!' had asked him not to speak on the subject for the time being.

He was very nice and cordial, but there was a weird omniousness in his letter, almost a twinge of fear in his voice. Something tells me if we had spoken over the phone or in person, his voice would have cracked more than a teenager tenor in training.

Now I know why. IBM held its first public demonstration of Watson against Jennings and 'Jeopardy!' champion Brad Rutter, who holds the show's record for the most money won and the computer absolutely cleaned both of their clocks.

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IBM building computer designed to take over Jeopardy!, then possibly the world

by Danny Gallagher, posted Apr 28th 2009 10:00AM

The femputer from Fox's Oh my God. Maybe the Unabomber was right, about how technology could weaken humanity and destroy us all. Not about sending bombs in the mail. That was and always will be a big no-no.

IBM is developing a new computer system that can compete on TV's Jeopardy! by digesting the show's questions, buzzing in and answering in the famous question format.

The system is being developed in the same vein as "Deep Blue," the computer that defeated chess champion Gary Kasparov. The Jeopardy! system nicknamed "Watson" is part of IBM's ongoing attempt to overtake humanity by whooping humanity's ass at their own games. An IBM spokesman estimated humanity's spirit will finally be broken when they perfect a computer system that can beat the world's greatest Chutes and Ladders player.

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Baker Street Irregulars brings Sherlock Holmes to BBC1

by Adam Finley, posted Oct 21st 2006 8:01PM

sherlock holmesBaker Street Irregulars, not to be confused with the live-action Disney movie The North Avenue Irregulars, is coming to BBC1 in 2007. The two-part family drama is based on the Sherlock Holmes book A Study in Scarlett. The Irregulars are a group of street kids who must solve the mysterious disappearance of two members of their gang while Holmes, accused of murder, is placed under house arrest. Holmes will be played by Jonathan Pryce and his partner Watson will be portrayed by Bill Paterson. Pryce is well-recognized by American audiences, appearing in such films as Brazil and Glengarry Glen Ross. Production on the series begins later this month. Producers hope the new program will make the character of Sherlock Holmes appealing again to a modern audience.

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