Watson Computer Crushes Human Jeopardy! Opponents

The question is can IBM design a computer with more personality than Alex Trebek?

Proof that computers can understand human language, or evidence that IBM has wasted billions of dollars on a trivia machine? That is the conundrum facing Jeopardy! viewers after the computer known as Watson trashed its flesh and blood competitors on the second of three episodes of the closely watched man vs. machine contest Tuesday night. Watson handily won the second round of the challenge, racking up $35,734 in earnings, far ahead of runner-up Brad Rutter who finished with $10,000. In the first round Monday, Watson only managed to tie Rutter. The Watson editions of Jeopardy! have been a huge ratings success for the game show and great publicity for IBM, which says Watson’s ability to respond to language is an engineering breakthrough.