Jeopardy playing computer from IBM competes against humans

Via 80beats, a 2,800 processor strong computer called Watson is going to be playing Jeopardy against two of the best human Jeopardy players from the past. The show has been recorded and will air February 14th.

Watson will only be able to speak its terms of surrender to the human race in the form of a question.

The computer I am typing this on should be able to beat any human being at memorization and regurgitation of facts. What am I missing here?

Jeopardy is more than just regurgitating facts. The computer has to parse grammar, figure out what is being said- hidden sometimes in riddle-like or apparently vague language- and then search a huge amount of information to find the answer.

If I had money to bet, I'd put it on Ken Jennings, although I think I could take him.

I'd rather see the comp try cash cab.

Is Cash Cab still on? I liked that.

I dunno. I'm watching reruns on broadcast tv.

My brother in law was good friends with the Cash Cab host when they were kids. They still keep in touch and get together often. My wife was best friends with his sister.