IBM’s supercomputer, aptly named “Watson”, was represented on Jeopardy! via tablet screen, while the full computer version was in its permanent location: a building in New York. Watson is comprised of 90 servers. If Watson were to operate on a single CPU, it would take two hours to answer a single Jeopardy! question, whereas the average Jeopardy! contestant can answer a question in an average of three seconds.
Ken Jennings wrote “I for one welcome our new computer overlords.” While jesting, one cannot help but wonder about the practical applications of Watson. The application of the Watson system can be applied to answer questions asked in a complex manner. Watson could revolutionize the way diagnosticians approach a patient’s mysterious symptoms, a financial analyst advises a client, or the way a customer service representative at a call center helps a customer find a solution.
Sources:
Sources:
Hanna, J. (2011, February 17). Computer finishes off human opponents on 'Jeopardy!'. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/innovation/02/16/jeopardy.watson/index.html?hpt=T1
IBM. (n.d.). Industry perspectives. Retrieved from http://www-943.ibm.com/innovation/us/watson/watson-for-a-smarter-planet/industry-perspectives.html
