Can AI Outsmart Humans? 5 times AI found unexpected solutions

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly advancing, tackling problems in novel ways that were previously unimaginable. It has made groundbreaking discoveries across various fields by identifying trends and data often overlooked by humans, leading to unique solutions. From science to entertainment, AI has achieved feats that have surprised many, prompting the question: Can artificial intelligence surpass human capabilities? Some experts believe it can, while others think it simply offers a different perspective. Regardless, its capabilities are expanding annually. This article explores five instances where AI has astounded us, highlighting its potential to be creatively distinct. Here are five remarkable artificial intelligence discoveries.

Can AI Outsmart Humans? 5 Unbelievable AI Breakthroughs

Below are five surprising moments where AI discovered brilliant solutions that even the brightest minds never imagined possible.

AlphaGo’s Unthinkable Move in Go

The ancient board game Go, known for its strategic depth, was once thought to be a domain only mastered by humans. Then came DeepMind’s AI creation, AlphaGo. In 2016, AlphaGo faced world champion Lee Sedol, and during game two, it made a seemingly poor move at move 37. Initially deemed a mistake by Go professionals, this move later proved to be ingenious, enabling AlphaGo to win the match. Even Sedol described it as “beautiful and creative.” This event shifted the public perspective on artificial intelligence , demonstrating how AI can think beyond human conventions. AlphaGo’s approach, powered by deep reinforcement learning, allowed it to explore new strategies, succeeding where humans hadn’t. This is a prime example of AI surpassing human knowledge.

AI Discovers a New Antibiotic Compound

In 2020, researchers at MIT utilized AI to aid in the search for novel antibiotics. By analyzing thousands of chemical models, the AI algorithm identified a compound named halicin. This compound was capable of destroying certain resilient bacteria, previously untreatable by known antibiotics. AI discovered this medicine faster than any human laboratory could. The compound’s structure was unlike most known antibiotics, surprising experts who would not have considered it for experimentation. This breakthrough showcased AI’s potential in accelerating drug discovery, offering creative solutions faster than human experts. Halicin is currently undergoing testing in several labs, with the potential to lead to life-saving treatments. AI opened a new path in medicine that had previously been overlooked.

AI Learns to Walk With Broken Physics

In 2017, OpenAI developed virtual reality-based robots, training AI to teach virtual bodies how to walk. The results were both odd and amusing, with AI discovering unconventional methods of movement. In one instance, a two-legged figure learned to roll and flip to reach its goal, while another AI model walked faster by bending its legs backward. These actions defied human logic but demonstrated AI’s ability to find solutions beyond established guidelines. AI is not concerned with style or reason; it seeks the most efficient path to success. This behavior, while strange, proves effective, highlighting AI’s willingness to test every possibility, even the unconventional, to solve problems.

AI Breaks Classic Video Games in Creative Ways

AI has shown its prowess in breaking the rules of classic video games. Various research labs have put AI to the test with games like Q*bert, where AI players discovered a flaw that allowed them to score continuously by jumping in a specific manner. This strategy, previously unknown to humans, was identified by AI during its training. In another game, AI found a glitch that allowed its character to bounce indefinitely, avoiding death. These examples illustrate how AI can explore beyond human imagination, exploiting every opportunity, even glitches, to achieve victory. Such discoveries prompted game developers to fix these flaws, improving future game designs.

AI Solves 50-Year Protein Folding Problem

Proteins, the building blocks of life, function based on their structure. Predicting protein folding has been a complex puzzle for scientists for decades. Enter DeepMind’s AlphaFold, which in 2020, astonished the scientific community by accurately predicting protein structures with unprecedented precision. AlphaFold outperformed all previous methods in a scientific competition, with some analysts comparing it to solving a “moon landing problem” in biology. The speed at which AlphaFold operated was remarkable, achieving in weeks what took scientists years. By leveraging deep learning, it identified hidden patterns without the need for a physical lab. This AI breakthrough could revolutionize medical, genetic, and disease research. Today, scientists globally are utilizing AlphaFold.

Conclusion:

These five extraordinary discoveries demonstrate AI’s potential to outsmart humans in innovative and powerful ways. From mastering ancient games to solving medical mysteries, AI consistently defies convention, exploring every possible avenue for success—even the unusual ones. These revelations are not just insightful; they are transforming the future. AI grows smarter each year, offering fresh perspectives and innovative solutions. While it may not replace human intelligence, AI is shaping its path, sometimes even surpassing human capabilities. For further reading on AI’s impact on various sectors, visit MIT Technology Review.