Data Scavenger Hunt

Find answers to the following questions using the visual above:

1. What is the current Elo rating of the best chess playing computer in the world?

2. In 1985 could an expert human chess player typically beat a computer in chess?

3. Approximately what was the first year the best computer chess payer could typically beat an expert human chess player?

4. Approximately what was the first year the best computer chess payer could typically beat the highest rated human chess player ever?

5. Describe a pattern in the growth in the level of expertise in the best computer chess players since 1985.

   Big Brain Questions

   Answer these questions by yourself using your brain and the links below:

6. List one thing the visual makes you wonder:

7. For most of human history, humans were the smartest thing on earth. Make an argument about whether humans are still the smartest things on earth.

8. If computers can easily beat the most expert chess player in human history what else can they do better than humans?

9. In what way do humans outperform computers?

10. The sophistication of computer intelligence is expected to continue to increase rapidly. At the current pace, what do you predict is the future of humans, and what will happen if computers don’t need humans any more?

Write and Discuss

Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.

Act on your Learning

AI regulation in the United States is still quite young. Congress has passed important bills focused on government The Biden White House has issued two executive orders asking agencies to focus on equity in their work, including by taking action against algorithmic discrimination. Many individual agencies have taken heed and are making progress within their respective jurisdictions. Still, no federal legislation focusing on protecting people from the potential harms of AI and other automated systems appears imminent. Propose a law regarding AI and share your proposal with a member of your state’s congressional delegation.

Get Creative

Throughout human history we have distinguished humans from other animals by focusing on the intelligence advantage of humans. Now or very soon, humans will no longer be able to outperform computers in terms of intelligence. Make a creative response imagining a future where people find their unique value in something other than our supremacy in intelligence.

Learn More

Check out all these incredible maps, tables, and graphs about computers from Our World in Data.

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