Watson vs. Jeopardy!: The Unfair Fight That Predicted Our AI Anxiety
2025-09-13
In 2011, IBM's AI, Watson, famously beat Jeopardy! champions Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter, sparking both celebration and controversy. This article delves into the behind-the-scenes story, revealing how Watson's superhuman buzzer speed and strategic adjustments during the televised matches raised questions about fair play. The win, while a technological triumph, foreshadowed the anxieties surrounding AI's capabilities and its impact on human competition and collaboration. The article also explores the lingering debate among Jeopardy! fans and contestants about whether the match was truly fair.