Artificial intelligence outperformed poker experts

Libratus algorithm, created at Carnegie Mellon University, has beaten four best professional poker players in No-Limit Texas Hold'em.

Competitors of artificial intelligence were Jimmy Chou, Daniel McAulay, Dong Kim and Jason Les. They played 120 000 hands within 20 days. Competition took place at a casino in Pittsburgh, and ended on January 30.

Developers of the algorithm – Tuomas Sandholm, professor of computer science, and Noam Brown, a student – say the victory of their creation cannot be the result of luck. Players also agree with that. Daniel McAulay called Libratus a tougher opponent than he expected.

It should be noted that all participants of the tournament partitioned the $200 000 prize fund among themselves. The win of artificial intelligence is estimated at $1.76 million, but the prize remained symbolic and wasn’t awarded to its creators.

Scientists plan to use their AI developments to solve real problems, fulfill complex scientific, social and humanitarian tasks. Professor Sandholm has already founded Optimized Markets intended to develop and implement a computer program for automated negotiations.