In a milestone for artificial intelligence (AI), a Google-designed computer programme defeated world champion Lee Sedol in the complex ancient Chinese game called Go. Experts had predicted that “it would take another decade for computers to beat professional Go players”.
Go is a popular game in countries such as China, South Korea and Japan. It involves two contestants moving black and white stones on a square grid, with the aim of seizing the most territory.
The champion was said to be stunned at this defeat and lost a further two games against Google’s AI before claiming a victory to leave their dual resting at 3-1. A Google representative said members involved in the project were “stunned and speechless” at the AI’s victories while China’s top Go player fears that “sooner or later, the computer will defeat all human Go players.”
One big step forward for Google’s AI – which also plays a role in determining the SEO ranking of your site – also coincided with a step backwards.
One of Google’s growing number of driverless cars crashed into a bus in California. The cars are hoped to be made available to the public in 2020.
Gizmodo explain that the crash happened as one of the driverless cars was stopped at an intersection and needed “to manoeuvre around sandbags placed in the right-hand lane. The car assumed—as a human driver might have—that as it nudged back into traffic, a slowing city bus was allowing the car to merge. It wasn’t, and the car struck the bus.”
No injuries were reported while the Google car “sustained body damage to the left front fender, the left front wheel and one of its driver’s-side sensors”.
In a statement, Google said: “This type of misunderstanding happens between human drivers on the road every day.”
Google’s cars have apparently driven more than 1 million miles without anyone at the wheel and they estimate that they could reduce up to 80 percent of car crashes that occur.
It’s been a wild few weeks for Google as we approach Ireland’s wildest day of the year. Google’s Search Engine is just one part of that the gigantic corporation’s operation but it pays to make sure your rankings are not in danger of crashing. Get in touch with Matrix today to start a discussion about how you could improve your performance on Google.
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