“there were several easy questions that the humans knew and I could see them trying to push the button but Watson answered first. I suppose watson answers at the speed of light while humans have to push a button that is far slower and puts them at a disadvantage.”
If they explained how that works, I missed it. Maybe it was rigged so that once the computer reaches its threshold for answering (50% certainty, whatever that means), it has to wait the average time it takes a human brain to order its thumb to click in.
I watched it and I agree. Watson was faster on the button. But so was Ken Jennings when he had his big run too against other people.
But I was very impressed with the programming of that machine. It could make complex associations and do it very well.
What amazed me was how Watson was so totally wrong of the Final question. I would have thought that would have been an easy one, but then again, Watson never had the 'pleasure' of flying through Chicago. He only travels via cyber space. ;~))