8 Years Later: A World Go Champion Reflects on AlphaGo

Eight years ago, the world of Go, an ancient strategic board game, was shaken to its core. Lee Sedol, a world champion Go player, faced off against AlphaGo, Google's artificial intelligence (AI) system, in a historic five-game match.

In a candid interview, Lee reflects on his experience and the lasting impact of AlphaGo.

"Before AlphaGo, I only ever competed against humans," Lee admits. "When Google invited me to play their AI, I underestimated its capabilities. I thought it would be a routine win, a casual experiment."

However, the public's reaction upon learning of the match highlighted its significance. Lee quickly realized the magnitude of the event.

Lee recalls being particularly impressed by AlphaGo's brilliance. Go's complexity surpasses even chess, boasting an unimaginable number of possible board configurations. This necessitates creativity alongside powerful calculation, a quality AlphaGo surprisingly displayed.

"Scientists predicted AI wouldn't achieve this level for another decade," Lee reveals. "Now, eight years later, AI development has accelerated tremendously."

Go players worldwide have embraced AlphaGo, utilizing its games to unearth new strategies and moves, enriching the ancient game. Lee notes a surge in Go's popularity in his home country, South Korea, following the matches.

AlphaGo's impact extends beyond the game itself. It has revolutionized how Go records are set, raising the bar for future players. Teaching Go in the post-AlphaGo era has transformed as well. Students can now learn from the strategic brilliance exhibited by AI games.

Looking forward, Lee expresses optimism about the future of human-AI collaboration. "We can achieve great things by partnering with AI," he declares. "As long as we establish clear guidelines and principles, AI technology has the potential to significantly improve our daily lives."