'WE MADE HISTORY': Google's DeepMind AI just beat a human world champion at Go

Google's DeepMind AI division just defeated human champion Lee Sedol in a game of Go.

It's a major milestone for artificial intelligence research: Go is a simple but notoriously difficult game for computers to master because of the sheer number of potential moves. While AI programs began being able to beat humans at chess decades ago, the best Go players in the world have always been able to outsmart Go-playing software - until today.

Put simply, Go is a two-player turn-based strategy game. Each player puts down either black or white stones in an attempt to outmaneuver and surround the other player. It's easy to pick up, but takes years to master.

(Scroll down to watch the entire game.)

A DeepMind team traveled to South Korea with their program AlphaGo to take on Lee Sedol, one of the best players in the world. Wednesday's match was the first of five planned between man and machine. Prior to the game, Sedol said he was "confident" about his prospects, telling reporters he was aiming for a 5-0 victory across all the games.

DeepMind cofounders Mustafa Suleyman and Demis Hassabis have publicly celebrated their victory on Twitter. "We had history! What an incredible moment!" wrote Suleyman. 

"We landed it on the moon," wrote Hassabis," So proud of the team!! Respect to the amazing Lee Sedol too."

 Prior to the matches against Lee Sedol, AlphaGo took on - and defeated - the European Go champion, Fan Hui. But there was widespread uncertainty as to who would win in this week's match-up.

You can watch the entire first game here:

 

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