Computer gets good at outwitting experts in ventures like chess; IBM 'Deep Thought' stresses speed over knowledge, in revival of 'brute force'; training for champ Kasparov

Article Abstract:

Deep Thought, a computer developed at Carnegie-Mellon University with funding from IBM, plays chess. Deep Thought considers a million possible board positions in a second - a technique labeled 'brute force' by artificial intelligence (AI) researchers, who have tended away from it, believing that it is more efficient to improve a computer's knowledge than its speed. But Deep Thought continues to evolve in its own directions: researchers now plan to give Deep Thought the ability to consider a billion possible situations in a second, hoping to show that speed can, in fact, generate behavior that seems 'intelligent.' Deep Thought already plays well and has come close to beating Anatoly Karpov, perennial challenger of Gary Kasparov, the champion. Kasparov himself anticipates an 'exciting' game against an improved Deep Thought, calling the machine's challenge a defense of 'the honor of the human race.'

Artificial intelligence, Game theory, Carnegie-Mellon University, Chess, Computer chess, Deep Thought Computer, Karpov, Anatoly, Anatharaman, Thomas, Hsu, Feng-Hsiung, Campbell, Murray

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Silicon atoms manipulated in IBM study

Article Abstract:

IBM researchers report, in the journal Science, that they have developed a technique that allows them to manipulate individual silicon atoms. IBM scientists already had demonstrated, in 1990, that they could manipulate individual xenon atoms, and they could do this so precisely that they were able to form a pattern in the shape of the company's logo. Circuitry in today's electronic devices is measured in microns, which is on a scale that is 1,000 times coarser than devices that might be built at the atomic scale, where devices and their components are measured in nanometers, or billionths of a meter. IBM's latest research was accomplished using a scanning tunneling microscope, which can be used to manipulate atoms with strong chemical bonds. Atoms of 'noble' elements, such as xenon, interact weakly with other atoms.

Office machines, not elsewhere classified, Semiconductor devices, Usage, Integrated circuits, Electronic components, Reports, Nanotechnology, Product introduction, Semiconductors, Scanning tunneling microscopy, Science (Periodical), Semiconductor Device, Packaging Density, Miniaturization, New Technique

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Human checkmate? Kasparov gives up but we needn't yet; IBM's winning 'Deep Blue,' a HAL of a guy, is, still, the product of primates

Article Abstract:

IBM's Deep Blue computer has beaten Russian chess master Garry Kasparov by three and a half match points to two and a half match points. Mr. Kasparov claims IBM programmed Deep Blue specifically to beat him. The match was the first time a chess champion has been beaten by a computer. Deep Blue was programmed to make chess moves, just as the spell-check software on a computer's word-processing program is programmed to identify mis-spelled words and correct them. However, scientists say Deep Blue is not capable of thinking. Deep Blue is an IBM RS/6000 SP supercomputer and does not posses artificial intelligence. It is extremely fast at analyzing and examining millions of possible moves and variables. Deep Blue is made up of 32 processing nodes and is a type of parallel processing machine.

Electronic Computer Manufacturing, Digital Computers, Super, Computer industry, Supercomputers, Industry event, Special events

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