The world's best Go player took on the world's best AI! Who won?

KOREA NOW

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Video Summary

The world's top-ranked Go player, Shin Jinseo, recently competed against the AI program "mightyQat" in a three-game series. Despite being given a two-stone handicap, Shin Jinseo achieved a remarkable victory, winning the series 2-1. This marks a significant achievement, as experts had predicted it would be a success if he won even one game. Shin Jinseo attributed his success to a defensive strategy and a realization that the AI's pursuit of perfection could be a weakness.

In the first game, Shin Jinseo was caught off guard and lost. However, he rallied in the second game, winning by four and a half points, becoming the first person to defeat mightyQat in an official two-stone handicap match. He then secured the series win in the third game by 11 and a half points. Shin Jinseo's strategic adaptation and philosophical insight into AI's limitations were key to his triumph.

Short Highlights

Shin Jinseo, world number one Go player, competed against AI mightyQat.
Shin Jinseo won the three-game series 2-1, despite a two-stone handicap.
He became the first to beat mightyQat in an official handicap match.
Shin Jinseo adapted a defensive strategy, noting AI's weakness in imperfection.

Key Details

Go vs. AI: A New Era [00:00]

A decade after AI's first major Go victory, the world's top player faced a strong AI.
Go, known as baduk in Korea, is a game of complex strategy that relies on intuition.
AI's unconventional strategies have become a training tool for human players.

A decade's passed since the world was gripped by Korean Go legend going up against artificial intelligence.

The Challenge: Shin Jinseo vs. mightyQat [00:48]

Shin Jinseo, the current world number one, played a three-game series against mightyQat.
Unlike a previous match, Shin was given a two-stone handicap.
Experts predicted winning even one game would be a major success.

Shin Jinseo just played a three-game series against the mightyQat.

Game One: AI Takes the Lead [01:09]

mightyQat won the first game after Shin Jinseo was caught off guard.
The AI's victory highlighted the challenge posed by its advanced capabilities.

And sure enough, Katako won game one after Shin was caught off guard.

Game Two: Human Resilience [01:15]

Shin Jinseo overcame the AI in the second game, winning by four and a half points.
This victory marked the first time mightyQat lost an official two-stone handicap match.

But in game two, he overcame the AI by four and a half points, becoming the first person to beat Katako in an official two-stone handicap match.

Game Three: Series Decided [01:25]

The series went to a dramatic decider in the third game.
Shin Jinseo secured the series victory, winning by 11 and a half points.

Remarkably, Shin took the series by winning again, this time by 11 and 12 points.

Shin Jinseo's Strategy and Insight [01:34]

Shin Jinseo admitted the AI's pressure was intense.
He adopted a calm, defensive approach, deviating from his usual style.
He utilized his human strategic advantage, realizing AI's potential weakness.

Shinn admitted the AI's attacking pressure was so intense he could barely breathe.

The Philosophical Edge: AI's Weakness [01:50]

Shin Jinseo identified a key difference between human and AI play.
He stated that AI's pursuit of perfection can be a disadvantage.
AI does not take risks, even when in a disadvantageous position.

It seems perfection is an AI weakness.

The Spoils of Victory [02:01]

Shin Jinseo won a prize of 250 million won and a luxury car.
The AI, presumably, would not benefit from such rewards.

Shin also won 250 million1 plus a luxury car.