Darmok, an AI program, solves Times cryptic crossword final faster than human champion
Overview
Darmok, an AI program built on four models (Gemini 3.1 Pro, Claude Fable 5, GPT-5 and GPT-6 Astra), solved the final puzzle of the Times annual cryptic crossword competition about three minutes faster than Liam Hughes, the 29-year-old contest's youngest human winner, according to The Guardian.
Darmok failed the same puzzle last year, giving up after 18 minutes. Its creator, Sid Chatterjee of the University of Texas at Austin, says the improvement came from the more powerful frontier models and from changing Darmok to attempt all clues before inserting any answers.
Written by AI from the articles below · updated Oct 20, 11:44 AM ET
Check the sources:
Article timeline
The articles in this story. Times are ET.
- The Guardian · AINewsDarmok, an AI program, beats the human champion at the Times cryptic crossword
AIDarmok, an AI program built on Gemini 3.1 Pro, Claude Fable 5, GPT-5 and GPT-6 Astra, solved the final puzzle of the Times's annual cryptic crossword competition about three minutes faster than Liam Hughes, 29, the contest's youngest human winner. Darmok's first attempt last year failed when it gave up on the final puzzle after 18 minutes. Its creator, Sid Chatterjee of the University of Texas at Austin, says the improvement came from the more powerful frontier models and from making Darmok attempt all clues before inserting answers.
Heat Trend
- Current comparable heat
- 9
- Peak comparable heat
- 10Oct 20, 12:00 PM ET
- Change in past 24 hours
- –
The trend compares only continuously observed participants, so its scope may be smaller than the current heat total. Hover or tap for hourly heat; use arrow keys with a keyboard.