1660240936270 B25f2fa795eb41a3b1d967488f77df57

AI's image gets a makeover, thanks to a $4.5 million prize from IBM and XPrize

Feb. 25, 2016

XPrize Foundation founder Peter Diamandis and IBM Watson general manager David Kenny have announced the launch of the IBM Watson A.I. Xprize: A Cognitive Computing Competition.

XPrize Foundation founder Peter Diamandis and IBM Watson general manager David Kenny have announced the launch of the IBM Watson A.I. Xprize: A Cognitive Computing Competition. The competition, which features a $4.5 million prize, encourages teams to demonstrate AI's positive potential and how it can impact humanity.

According to TechCrunch: "The open-ended nature of this particular competition means that participants can choose to work with AI technology in a number of areas, from climate change to education to healthcare, the organizers noted. The goal is to demonstrate how humans can collaborate with cognitive and A.I. technologies capable of solving some of the world’s grand challenges."

The winning AI must give a presentation at the 2020 TED conference showing "how humans can collaborate with powerful cognitive technologies to tackle some of the world’s grand challenges."

But, could this contest just be an elaborate marketing scheme to improve the image of AI? According to Inverse: "Such a public display of A.I. affection, the challenge creators hope, will steer us away from the idea that all artificially intelligent roads lead to Skynet and robot apocalypse.

The evil A.I. narrative is one that XPrize founder Peter Diamandis describes as a tiring dystopian vision — but it doesn’t mean everyone else has given up on Ultron. There are plenty of reasons why people might take a dim view of artificial intelligence, be it Frankenstein complexes or uncanny valleys. Or Stephen Hawking arguing robots would beat us at our own evolutionary game."

About the Author

Alexis Gajewski | Senior Content Strategist

Alexis Gajewski has over 15 years of experience in the maintenance, reliability, operations, and manufacturing space. She joined Plant Services in 2008 and works to bring readers the news, insight, and information they need to make the right decisions for their plants. Alexis also authors “The Lighter Side of Manufacturing,” a blog that highlights the fun and innovative advances in the industrial sector. 

Sponsored Recommendations

April 14, 2025
This paper addresses where leaks commonly occur, leak detection methods, and practical advice for an audit and repair plan. You'll learn why an ongoing leak detection and repair...
April 14, 2025
Here are some things you can do in between formal preventive maintenance visits on your electric screw compressor to extend compressor life and prevent downtime.
April 14, 2025
They cost more than refrigerated dryers. They need more parts and service than refrigerated dryers. They increase demand for compressed air. So when should you use a desiccant...
April 14, 2025
Follow these ten steps for energy savings in your compressed air system.