The AI that argues back

A computer that can participate in live debates against human opponents.

In this episode:

00:43 AI Debater After thousands of years of human practise, it’s still not clear what makes a good argument. Despite this, researchers have been developing computer programs that can find and process arguments. And this week, researchers at IBM are publishing details of an artificial intelligence that is capable of debating with humans.

Research Article: Slonim et al. News and Views: Argument technology for debating with humans

10:30 Research Highlights The sea slugs that can regrow their whole body from their severed head, and evidence of high status women in ancient Europe.

Research Highlight: Now that’s using your head: a sea slug’s severed noggin sprouts a new body Research Highlight: A breathtaking treasure reveals the power of the woman buried with it

12:56 Briefing Chat We discuss some highlights from the Nature Briefing. This time, the next generation of gravitational wave detectors, and why 2020 was a record-breaking year for near-Earth asteroids.

Nature News: Record number of asteroids seen whizzing past Earth in 2020 Science: Giant gravitational wave detectors could hear murmurs from across universe

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