Actually, the solution to the rubix cube is itself an algorithm. There is a formula, a series of turns, that will solve the cube no matter what it's current configuration. Those who solve the cube fast don't need to examine it, unless those who accomplish it in seconds are finding faster formulas.
I cry foul in any case, though. The machine beat the human by a fraction of a second, but it was using twice as many hands and "wrists" that spin 360. Lets see a robot do it faster with a human-like physique.