'Jeopardy!' to pit contestants against IBM

NEW YORK Two of the game show's biggest champions are planning to take on an artificial intelligence program.

Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter will play against "Watson", a program developed by IBM programmers.

The matches will be spread over three days that will air Feb.14-16, the game show said on Tuesday.

"Watson" has already been tested against other "Jeopardy!" champions, but neither IBM nor "Jeopardy!" representatives would say what "Watson's" record was.

IBM says the machine will be represented on screen by a round avatar.

IBM is hoping the technology it exhibits will have some practical uses eventually, for instance helping doctors diagnose illnesses or solving customer problems at technical support centers.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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