Debate computer paves way for AI

A SUPER-COMPUTER has held its own in live debates with humans, opening the door to artificial intelligence taking decision-making roles.

Named Project Debater, the device can discuss around 100 topics – ranging from subsidising pre-schools to space exploration and telemedicine. It scans through an archive of 400 million newspaper articles and Wikipedia pages to form opening statements and counter-arguments.

Judged blind by a virtual audience who were given transcripts of the exchanges, it scored highly against champion debaters.

Dr Noam Slonim, of the IBM Research Lab in Haifa, Israel, said: “AI may have the ability to participate in complex human activities.”

THE treacle saga rumbles on, if syrup can be said to do that.

Ages ago I wrote about rediscovering the childhood pleasure of this breakfast – bedtime, even – treat.

I went out and bought a can, and slathered the stuff on my toast for a couple of days, and then forgot about it.

But be sure your sin will find you out. Reader Yvonne Edge of Timperley, Cheshire, wrote to me before Christmas with a recipe for malt loaf, with treacle.

Her letter went to the wrong pub, but finally reached me here in Cross Hills and, nothing daunted, Mrs R took up the challenge.

The recipe calls for 8oz self raising flour, a cup of sugar, a cup of milk and an egg plus two tablespoons of black treacle. Gas mark 4 for 75 minutes.

The result was stunning. Quite literally if it had been thrown at me, I suggested.

“It’s supposed to be heavy,” said a miffed Mrs R. “It’s not a fairy cake.”

Well, there’s heavy, and there’s heavy. Soviet athlete Tamara Press, Olympic gold for putting the shot, could put in some useful training with Lynne’s loaf.

But I digress, as usual.

My father always urged me to use my loaf, so I did, and very tasty it was too. A bit on the chewy side, I grant you, but filling.

“I just put everything in, I didn’t weigh them,” says Mrs R. “The sugar and treacle were all over my hands – and the kitchen.

“You’ll have me making a Christmas cake next,” she warned. “Now that would certainly be a doorstop.”

Thank you, Mrs Edge. But if you have any more recipes, please send them to Brian Reade while my digestion recovers.