back to article IBM Watson offers $5m for an AI to save the world

And so IBM Watson's massive marketing push continues: this time with the launch of a $5m (£3.4m) prize in an artificial intelligence competition that will run until 2020. Contenders – or perhaps their 'bots – will have to battle it out at a mainstage event at IBM's annual conference before the winner pockets their prize at the …

  1. x 7

    why does the headline say five billion when the prize is five million?

    you really do need a proofreader on this site

    1. MyffyW Silver badge

      @x_7 have we identified a potential application for the Watson skynet - proof reading El Reg?

      If so I'll cheerfully settle for $2.5m

    2. Oh Matron!

      Those who can't, blog.

      1. MyffyW Silver badge

        Guilty as charged, as my present employer would probably be the first agree.

  2. Monti

    5 BEEELION DOLLARS!

    Might want to take a look at that headline.

    1. ratfox

      Re: 5 BEEELION DOLLARS!

      It's an imperial short scale billion.

  3. Emo

    Why have $5 beeeelion

    When you can have *little finger to side of mouth* $5 meeeelion.

  4. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    AI

    I'm curious. When trying to create AI why don't we use what we know? Humans are created from a cell that divides into 2 so if you write an algorithm using the same premise it would eventually get to a point of self consciousness. The initial algorithm would need to connect to each iteration and evolve.

    1. My-Handle

      Re: AI

      Assuming you can model all the mechanics of a cell in real time, you would then need millions of years of runtime for your cyber-amoeba to possibly evolve to the point of sentience. Assuming you don't run out of the computing resource required to accurately model the cellular activity of an entity made up of millions of cells first.

      1. PNGuinn
        Holmes

        Re: AI @ My-Handle

        The Mice had the answer.

      2. Anonymous Coward
        Joke

        Cyber-amoeba

        Sounds like some IT PHBs I've known.

    2. PNGuinn
      Joke

      Re: AI @ AC

      Not enough ram?

  5. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    an opportunity

    for Irony Brings Mirth - if a group of RA'd developers wins

  6. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Hmmm...

    Give Watson mathematical knowledge.

    Couple with a modern theorem proof assistant.

    ???

    Riemann conjecture proven on-stage!

  7. W Donelson

    Here's a challenge...

    ... A way to make politicians actually work for the people they represent.

    1. BebopWeBop

      Re: Here's a challenge...

      Now that would be worth much much more...

  8. amanfromMars 1 Silver badge

    IBM loses the Plot and ITs Leading Push with Watson

    $5,000,000,000 to an AI to save the world is a real enough bargain whenever IT can destroy everything conceived and/or perceived to be valuable and worthy in a series of flash crashes with virtually nothing.

    $5,000,000 is for monkeys and peanuts.

    1. amanfromMars 1 Silver badge

      Re: IBM loses the Plot and ITs Leading Push with Watson

      This is much more like it, and much more likely to be of interest to Greater IntelAIgent War Gamers ..... although physical war is for real crash testing dummies displaying a distinct and catastrophic lack of intelligence ...... http://www.afcea.org/content/?q=Article-darpa-seeks-297-billion-fy-17-futuristic-defense-projects.

      And it is IT for morons and oxymoronic too. What is it that they say .... Fools and their money are easily parted?

  9. allthecoolshortnamesweretaken

    How about simulating Alan Turing?

  10. McVirtual
    Holmes

    Computer says No !

    My AI says it's worth a lot more that $5m for that answer....

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