IBM has been working on a new computer to aid physicians in diagnosing and managing patient’s illnesses. Not only can Watson diagnose, but it can also effectively manage a patients medical history and make predictions accordingly. Depending on the individual, it can take a long time for a physician to understand his or her medical history.

Thus, Watson has diagnostic and therapeutic qualities. Some go as far to say that Watson will eventually replace physicians. Given the nature of medicine - which traces back the unimaginable complexity and wonder of our human bodies, I can really see Watson become an aid and even assistant in medicine.

However, I can’t wrap my mind around the idea of a computer like Watson actually becoming a physician, at least not within the next 200 years. Could a computer detect changes in intonation or emotion, scan facial expressions and reactions? These skills are often vital for an accurate diagnosis. This whole concept of computers eventually outsmarting and replacing us is extremely old, and goes back to Star Trek or 2001: A Space Odyssey.

It’s way past 2001, and computers have become an integral part of our lives. In fact, many of the technological “miracles” in Star Trek have become reality. For example the wireless communication devices or tabloids, or doors that detect movement and slide open are now reality. When Star Trek came out, these things seemed bizarre and unrealistic. Because of people like Steve Jobs, our phones are now smarter (pun), our laptops slimmer, and our newspapers tabloid. Computers are going to evolve, but I think it’s going to take another millennium until they are anything close to resembling a human. Until then they will be burdened with trivial and menial tasks, which are nonetheless important. Sorry Watson!