Go Master Shin Jinseo Defeats AI, Sees Future in Coexistence

Go grandmaster Shin Jinseo has declared that artificial intelligence is now a partner for coexistence, not an adversary to be defeated, following his victory over the AI program Cartago. Shin Jinseo secured a 3-game victory against Cartago in a handicap match, a feat he described as a "starting point for humans to overcome their limits."

"This match showed that humans have developed another step," Shin Jinseo stated in an interview on July 28th. He emphasized the importance of leveraging AI for human advancement, noting, "Now, AI is not an opponent to be beaten, but a subject to coexist with. It is important how well humans utilize AI to develop further." The matches, played with a two-stone handicap, saw Shin Jinseo lose the first game but win the subsequent two, showcasing his strategic prowess against Cartago's strong mid-game offense.

Shin Jinseo's achievement is significant in the Go community, especially after the shockwaves sent by AlphaGo's victory over Lee Sedol ten years prior. Since AlphaGo's debut, AI has been utilized as a research tool in Go, with Shin Jinseo being a prominent figure in this integration. His nickname, 'Shin-AI,' reflects his deep engagement with AI research, with his moves often mirroring AI's strategies. Even Lee Sedol acknowledged Shin Jinseo's skill, predicting he could win against AI with a two-stone handicap.

Looking ahead, Shin Jinseo aims to secure at least one world championship title in the second half of the year, acknowledging a less dominant performance in the first half. He also expressed concern over the declining interest in domestic Go tournaments, fearing for the future of Korean Go if current trends persist. Shin Jinseo pledged to actively promote Go through various activities to boost its popularity and public engagement.