Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Webby's Person of the Year Is ... a Computer

It's IBM's Jeopardy computer, Watson

By the Associated Press

Posted Jun 2, 2011 1:49 PM CDT

(AP) – The Jeopardy-playing IBM computer Watson has been named person of the year by the Webby Awards, which honor Internet achievement. But showing they've got nothing against humanity, the 2011 Webbys also will salute recently disbanded rock group LCD Soundsystem as artist of the year. (The band presented its final concert at Madison Square Garden in a live webcast.) Director Adam McKay and Chris Henchy, co-founders of the website FunnyOrDie, will be honored as film and video person of the year.

"It Gets Better Project" founder Dan Savage gets the nod for special achievement. Savage's online video campaign has urged young people to stand up to bullying against lesbian, bisexual, gay, and transgender teens. Awards will be handed out June 13 at the 15th annual Webby Awards, hosted by Lisa Kudrow.

Contestants Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter compete against 'Watson' at a press conference for the Man V. Machine 'Jeopardy!' competition on January 13, 2011 in Yorktown Heights, New York.
Contestants Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter compete against 'Watson' at a press conference for the Man V. Machine 'Jeopardy!' competition on January 13, 2011 in Yorktown Heights, New York.   (Getty Images)
James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem performs on stage during the Big Day Out Festival at the Gold Coast Parklands on January 23, 2011 in Gold Coast, Australia.
James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem performs on stage during the Big Day Out Festival at the Gold Coast Parklands on January 23, 2011 in Gold Coast, Australia.   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
0%
0%
0%
20%
0%
80%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Copyright 2013 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

 
Internet • Dan Savage • It Gets Better • Watson • Webby Awards

 
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne