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"Watson can’t adjust its answers to what the other players say and so it simply answers with whatever comes up as its top answer." This is false, in fact they
by powrtoch 16y ago
"Watson can’t adjust its answers to what the other players say and so it simply answers with whatever comes up as its top answer."
This is false, in fact they specifically mentioned Watson learning from the answers of the other players.
In the game, Watson answers "The 1920s" after Jennings answers incorrectly with "the 20s". Basically, it didn't write off its own answer because it thought Jennings' was different enough that it might have been incorrect for the way it was phrased. The same way you might correctly answer "inner ear" after someone else incorrectly answers "ear".
- shkb 16y agoNot sure if it does it during the question though. The NOVA documentary on Watson[1] mentions having problems specifically with time phrases like the '20s, and it also has a part on giving Watson text input of the correct answer to improve performance after the question is answered. Nothing on getting every response from the other players. [1] http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tech/smartest-machine-on-earth.html http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tech/smartest-machine-on-earth....
- hvs 16y agoI believe that it learns from the correct answers. i.e. once the question is complete, it can use the known correct answer in its analysis. But it can't "hear" anything.
- lrm242 16y agoThat's correct. Watson only learns from correct answers after a question has been completed. This is mentioned specifically int he Nova documentary.
- nchlswu 16y agoLooks like this isn't too clear. An IBM spokesperson said he can't hear what other players are saying at all and only takes input from the question board. (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/02/ibms-watson-on-jeopardy-round-1-ends-in-a-tie.html http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/02/ibms-wats...) Regardless, Watson only selectively takes input, if it does at all.
- asuth 16y agoI was at an event at MIT with one of Watson's designers as I watched the show. I asked him about the 20s thing, and he said they talked about it when they were designing Watson but they figured the scenario wouldn't happen where another contestant gave the wrong answer and Watson gave the same-but-different wrong answer. Edge case!
- Maro 16y agoThey say that Watson has no "ears or eyes". So I assume it's not aware what others answer in real-time, hence that mistake. Were it not for this trivial mistake, Watson could be winning!