Since December 29th, an unknown Go player named “Master” has annihilated some of the best players in the world on the online Tygem platform in accelerated, time-controlled matches. As of now, the “Master” has won 60 wins of 61 games, including one tie. Earlier today, AI lab DeepMind founder Demis Hassabis admitted that “Master” is an improved version of Google’s AlphaGo. It has been secretly playing against human to be tested out.
The only tie match was between “Master” and Chinese professional Go player Chen Yaoye. It was the Internet drop on Chen’s end that brought a termination to “Master” winning streak. “When facing it, all traditional tactics are wrong”, Ke Jie, the Chinese professional Go player said after the defeat.
Hassabis said that more regular, full-length games of upgraded AlphaGo can be expected later this year in collaboration with Go organizations and experts to explore the future of games.