AI machine takes 2-0 lead against South Korea’s Lee Sedol, putting its owners one victory away from $1m prize

Google’s Go-playing machine has scored a second victory against the best human player.

The victory by AlphaGo against South Korea’s Lee Sedol, the winner of 18 world championships, puts the machine’s owners one victory away claiming a $1m (£700,000) prize.

AlphaGo’s first win against Lee, on Wednesday, shook the Go-playing world, marking a milestone in the development of artificial intelligence.

Many had believed it would take another decade for computers to conquer the ancient Chinese board game, one of the most creative games ever devised.

After his first loss, Lee said he was in shock as he had not expected to lose. Google’s team compared AlphaGo’s win to landing on the moon.

The five-game series is scheduled to run until Tuesday.