IBM Project Debater

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February 11, 2019

IBM Project Debater

At Intelligence Squared U.S., we’ve debated AI before – the risks, the rewards, and whether it can change the world – but for the first time, we’re debating with AI.

In partnership with IBM, Intelligence Squared U.S. is hosting a unique debate between a world-class champion debater and an AI system. IBM Project Debater is the first AI system designed to debate humans on complex topics using a combination of pioneering research developed by IBM researchers, including: data-driven speechwriting and delivery, listening comprehension, and modeling human dilemmas.

First debuted in a small closed-door event in June 2018, Project Debater will now face its toughest opponent yet in front of its largest-ever audience, with our own John Donvan in the moderator’s seat. The topic will not be revealed to Project Debater and the champion human debater until shortly before the debate begins.

Live Audience

Online Audience

Post-Debate

Winner

Against The Motion

30 %

8 %

Undecided

62 %

For The Motion

Pre-Debate

For The Motion

79 %

13 %

Against The Motion

8 %

Undecided

Breakdown

Winner

Against The Motion

30 %

Against The Motion

Change in voter behavior

7% - Remained For the Against Side

19% - Swung From the For Side

4% - Swung From Undecided

Undecided

8 %

Undecided

Change in voter behavior

5% - Swung From the Against Side

2% - Swung From the For Side

1% - Remained Undecided

For The Motion

62 %

For The Motion

Change in voter behavior

1% - Swung From the Against Side

58% - Remained For the For Side

3% - Swung From Undecided

Post-Debate

Winner

Undecided

0 %

Against the Motion

0 %

For the Motion

Pre-Debate

Against the Motion

0 %

For the Motion

0 %

Undecided

Breakdown

Winner

Undecided

0 %

Undecided

Change in voter behavior

0% - Swung From the Against Side

0% - Swung From the For Side

0% - Remained Undecided

Against the Motion

0 %

Against the Motion

Change in voter behavior

0% - Remained For the Against Side

0% - Swung From the For Side

0% - Swung From Undecided

For the Motion

0 %

For the Motion

Change in voter behavior

0% - Swung From the Against Side

0% - Remained For the For Side

0% - Swung From Undecided

Artificial Intelligence You Can Trust

Director of IBM Research Dario Gil discusses the importance of transparency in AI.

Opening Arguments Cut // Debater & Harish

IBM’s Project Debater and world-class debate champion Harish Natarajan present their opening arguments for and against the motion, “We Should Subsidize Preschool.”

Debating with Project Debater

Harish Natarajan tells Intelligence Squared U.S. host John Donvan what it was like to debate an AI system.

The Promise Of AI

Ranit Aharonov, manager of the Project Debater team at IBM Research, discusses the promise of AI and humans working together in the future.

How Does She Do It?

How does Project Debater work? Noam Slonim, the principal investigator of Project Debater at IBM Research, explains.

Rebuttal Round Cut // Debater & Harish

Project Debater and Harish Natarajan offer rebuttal remarks in round two of their debate on the motion, “We Should Subsidize Preschool.”

About The Debaters

For The Motion

IBM Project Debater −

IBM’s Project Debater is the first-ever AI system designed to meaningfully engage with humans in a debate. First... read bio

Against The Motion

Harish Natarajan − Debate Champion & Head of Economic Risk, AKE International

Harish Natarajan, a widely recognized debate champion, was a grand finalist at the 2016 World Debating Championships... read bio

Main Points

For The Motion

Against The Motion

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