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

It's IBM's Jeopardy computer, Watson
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jun 2, 2011 1:49 PM CDT
Webby's Person of the Year for 2011 is IBM Computer Watson
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)

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. (More Watson stories.)

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