Rep. Rush Holt beats "Watson" in Jeopardy! challenge

Rep. Bill Cassidy (left), Watson, and Rep. Rush Holt (right) in a mock game of "Jeopardy!" on Capitol Hill, Monday, Feb. 28, 2011.

/ Office of Rush Holt

Democratic New Jersey Rep. Rush Holt was the sole competitor to beat IBM supercomputer "Watson" in a mock Capitol Hill exhibition of "Jeopardy!" Monday night, beating out Reps. Bill Cassidy (R.-La.), Jared Polis (D.-Colo.), Jim Himes (D.-Conn.) and Nan Hayworth (R.-N.Y.) -- all of who were trounced by the machine -- as well as the computer itself.

IBM hosted the Washington event -- a non-televised, informal game of Jeopardy -- to demonstrate the impact of technology on society, according to the Hill.

Holt, a five-time "Jeopardy!" winner and nuclear physicist, ended the game with 8,600 points to Watson's 6,200.

Watson, IBM's interactive supercomputer, is equipped with some of the most sophisticated information processors in the world - and has recently taken down some of the show's longest-standing victors. Earlier this month, Watson beat Ken Jennings, who in 2004 won 74 games of "Jeopardy!" in a row.

"I watched a few episodes [of Watson] against Jennings a few weeks ago, and I thought I was in for trouble," Holt said, according to the Hill.

Polis, who according to the Wall Street Journal lost by 15,700 points, said he was happy enough with his showing.

"I avoided humiliation and came behind a supercomputer and a nuclear physicist," he said.

Watch Washington Unplugged's interview with Rep. Holt below:

[magicbrain]

now really! there should have been female representation; i would like to offer palin: sarah stand up and be counted - show them your stuff. come on, show me the button....

[RedWings_ninety_one]

Ya...computer has to be faster in order to process that information quickly enough...but I prefer human intellegence for the most part...
I thought Watson's next step was to go to hospitals, not waste our money on Capitol Hill.