horizon effect

noun

A problem in artificial intelligence whereby a computer can only search a small portion of the possible states in a game, and thus may make a detrimental move because it cannot search far enough to see its error.

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Meanings

nounhorizon effect (plural horizon effects)

plural horizon effects

  1. artificial intelligencegamesA problem in artificial intelligence whereby a computer can only search a small portion of the possible states in a game, and thus may make a detrimental move because it cannot search far enough to see its error.

Origin

From the idea that the computer cannot look beyond its horizon (limit of one's knowledge; boundary or threshold).

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Cite this entry
APA

horizon effect. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/horizon%20effect

MLA

“horizon effect.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/horizon%20effect. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “horizon effect,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/horizon%20effect.

Source: horizon effect on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.