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AlphaGo AI


The AI, AlphaGo was created by scientists looking to improve artificial intelligence. Its purpose was to independently learn the ways of the complex Chinese board game, Go, from absolutely no knowledge of it at all. The AI ended up defeating the best Go players in the world with ease. A new version of the program, called AlphaGo Zero, faced off against its original self in 100 games of Go. The new program went undefeated, winning 100-0.

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Pictured: AlphaGo versus Lee Sedol

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Pictured: the ancient Chinese game of Go

AlphaGo observed and analyzed games of Go, then played against itself as well to improve. It used and analyzed data gathered from human games to learn. AlphaGo Zero eliminated the human data, instead learning and gathering data from playing games against itself. AlphaGo Zero was given only the rules of the game, and taught itself by playing games against itself, beginning with completely random moves and eventually making well thought-out, efficient moves. Zero is better than the past version in every way. Zero’s predecessor took 30 million training games and several months to learn all it knows. Zero only played 4.9 million training games in an astonishing three days to achieve the same level of knowledge the original had.

AlphaGo had two individual neural networks that would work to determine the best moves to make based on data gathered from human players. The moves would then be tested by playing self-games to  chose the most effective move to make. AlphaGo Zero had one combined neural network with a simpler search algorithm. It did not rely on human data and did not play testing games against itself. This updated network allowed the AlphaGo Zero AI to perform new, never-before-seen moves that “are now redefining how Go is played.” 

Although the program had to play many more games to reach its level of expertise than the number of games a human would have to play to become an expert, the AI reached a more adept level much quicker than it would have taken a person.

Scientists could keep updating/modifying this kind of technology and apply it to other situations besides board games. Application to more complex things without strictly set rules/guidelines could lead to great new scientific breakthroughs, discoveries, and inventions. The self-learning technology can quickly advance knowledge and learn at a fast pace. If these programs are left to learn new things on their own, they could be capable of figuring/discovering that humans had not thought of.
One concern of mine is that if this artificial intelligence technology becomes more advanced and a regular part of our daily lives, it would be taking over human purpose. It's mental efficiency would transcend that of a mere humans, think for itself, and then what?  

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