Lee Sedol, the South Korean grandmaster who took on Google’s AI Go program AlphaGo in the ‘Game of the Century’ eight years ago. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Mar. 20 (Korea Bizwire) – Lee Sedol, the South Korean grandmaster who took on Google’s AI Go program AlphaGo in the ‘Game of the Century’ eight years ago, has offered a nuanced perspective on the rapid advancement of AI technology.
In an interview released by Google Korea on March 19 to mark the 20th anniversary of its Korean office, Lee cautioned against viewing AI with trepidation.
The match in 2016 pitted Lee, then considered the top human player, against AlphaGo, a masterful AI developed by Google’s DeepMind lab.
At the time, many expected the grandmaster to prevail. The ancient Chinese game of Go involves staggeringly complex permutations, surpassing the number of atoms in the universe, and tests the limits of human intuition, imagination, and tenacity.
Defying expectations, AlphaGo demonstrated an uncanny mastery of the game, handing Lee a 4-1 defeat. Yet, he emerged as the only professional player to have secured a win against the AI system.
“I may have underestimated it a bit,” Lee reflected on the 2016 match. “When I saw it play, it felt like hitting a tennis ball against a wall – it was that good.”
Since retiring in 2019, a decision he attributed partly to the rise of AI, Lee has delved into studying generative AI and other emerging technologies. He now perceives a loss of artistry in the game of Go after the advent of AI systems that seem to simply match “answer sheets” of optimal moves.
“The game records from before and after the release of AlphaGo are entirely different,” Lee noted. “Classic game records now hold little value beyond studying the historical evolution of Go.”
The match in 2016 against Alphago (Image courtesy of Google)
As AI continues its rapid advancement, marking a pivotal juncture, the interview centered on how humans can aptly control and steer the technology toward a better future. Lee underscored the necessity of AI development while advocating for a measured approach guided by firm ethical principles.
“AI is so vital to the world we inhabit that we must proceed cautiously, upholding clear principles to address ethical concerns,” he said. “However, I don’t think we should view AI through a lens of fear just yet.”
Lee acknowledged the inexorable march of technological progress, suggesting that apprehensions about AI might be somewhat exaggerated at present. “Whether humans feel trepidation or not, the technology will continue evolving,” he remarked. “It seems the fear some people harbor toward AI is a bit excessive right now.”
Looking ahead, Lee asserted the indispensability of AI, stating, “We can no longer even imagine a future without AI technology. If development stagnates in this field, humanity would face a remarkably bleak future. AI is that essential.”
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com
