for the AI fans: I.B.M.'s Supercomputer to Challenge 'Jeopardy!'

[Triple Zero]

I gotta say, this is pretty fucking impressive:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/20/magazine/20Computer-t.html?pagewanted=all

IMO a lot more then the Deep Blue chess playing device, as well.

[Cramulus]

well this is fascinating and I'm tempted to say terrifying, but I think that's just the frankenstein complex.

When they get this [Watson] down to a netbook size, everybody can just relax and be dumber.

[Rumckle]

When they get this [Watson] down to a netbook size, everybody can just relax and be dumber.

Why wait?
Get in now before it become popular!
"I became dumber before it was cool."

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

I sent this to my reference librarian friend... I'm curious to hear her take. If these computers became commonplace, it would dramatically change her job since fundamentally, a librarian is a search engine specialist.

[Cramulus]

true - but librarians also manage physical media. [Most] People don't go to the library because they want to know the capital of Denmark, they go because they want a book about Denmark.

In the end, a well researched human-written essay will be broader and more useful [for certain types of research] than a computer which can instantly pull up any factoid you can imagine.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Most people consult a librarian because they are looking for a book or article, and the librarian's job is to find it for them. A huge part of their education really is learning to search. A reference librarian, in particular, has to be able to search for information that is relevant to the querent. What this machine does could radically change things, because it does exactly that.

[Rumckle]

What is a bump?

They've released footage of a practice round with Watson and the other contestants. It's pretty interesting, there is also an interview with one of Watson's programmers.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/13/ibms-watson-supercomputer-destroys-all-humans-in-jeopardy-pract/

[Requia ☣]

This could potentially revolutionize libraries even if it still requires a supercomuter.  I mean, the University I went too had like 4 of them, and given what they spent on the robots for the library, I doubt they'd be adverse to getting a new one, or keeping one online for the library instead of retiring it.