H&R BLOCK HIRES WATSON THE COMPUTER

H&R Block is bringing IBM’s famous Watson computer on board this year to help clients do their taxes and, presumably, find ways to get bigger refunds. Watson, if you remember, was the computer that once competed on Jeopardy. H&R Block is hoping that the digital helper will attract more customers to its offices who would otherwise do their taxes at home using competing online services like TurboTax. “This is not a promotion,” said H&R Block CEO Bill Cobb. “Watson is not cheap.” During tax consultations, H&R Block representatives will ask customers for details about their finances, their occupations, and other pertinent questions. That information will be logged into the system so that Watson can get a better picture of an individual’s situation and provide better advice.
* Watson took one look at the U.S. tax code, said, “Screw this!” and shut down.
* One day, you’re on national television, and the next, you’re slaving away on tax returns for Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Bunderpump of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
* Watson could attract more customers for H&R Block, and besides, it’s a good tax write-off.
* “This is not a promotion. It’s a cheap gimmick. There’s a difference.”
* Great, so now the identity thieves can save time and just hack into Watson.
* Maybe this could be good. I always felt lying to a computer was easier than lying to a human being.
* Don’t knock it. Watson won a million dollars on Jeopardy, so maybe it can get you a few more bucks, too.