The Go community reflects on the ten years since AlphaGo's historic match against Lee Sedol, highlighting the ongoing evolution of AI in the sport and its impact on professional play.
On March 9, 2016, the historic match between Google's DeepMind Go program AlphaGo and top Go player Lee Sedol began, sparking a profound debate about the capabilities of artificial intelligence compared to human skill. Before the match, Sedol confidently declared, 'I will not lose,' and many professionals predicted a clear victory for humans. However, after five matches, Sedol managed to secure a solitary win against AlphaGo, which ultimately dominated with a 4-1 record, leading to what became known as the 'AlphaGo shock.'
Fast forward ten years, on the same day, Sedol returned to the Four Seasons Hotel—not for a match, but to showcase his new project: a Go education program utilizing AI. This program was developed in just over 30 minutes, demonstrating the rapid advancements in AI technology over the past decade. The utilization of AI in the Go community has become standard practice, as seen during recent matches where commentators frequently consulted AI for move evaluations and strategies, indicating a shift in how games are analyzed and discussed.
The biggest impact of AI on the Go community has been the erosion of traditional authority in the game. Experts now face immediate evaluation of their moves' validity, changing the dynamics of how knowledge is accepted and shared. Players no longer possess distinct styles as AI influences strategies universally. The nature of teamwork and research among national teams has fundamentally shifted, with AI now driving strategy rather than mere internet play, marking a new era in the evolution of professional Go.
