OpenAI releases Universe, a platform for training A.I.s to play games, use apps
Source: Peter Sayer
Training A.I.s how best to steal cars and shoot bystanders might seem a strange direction to take, given that OpenAI's mission is to build safe A.I., and that one of its goals is to enable a general-purpose robot to wield tools -- initially to perform housework.
But playing games is an important test of artificial intelligence. Many games are like small virtual worlds, the company said, and A.I. learning techniques will have to advance significantly in order to play a diverse range of games quickly and well. Being able to quickly master new, unfamiliar environments in this way is a first step toward general intelligence.
The nonprofit company is backed by entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, among others, and receives support from Microsoft, Amazon Web Services and Infosys.
OpenAI says it has already struck deals with game publishers including Microsoft Studios, EA and Valve, allowing A.I.s to learn to play games such as Portal, Wing Commander III, Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2, and Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri. Less playful A.I.s will in future also be able to learn to use Wolfram's Mathematica software using Universe, OpenAI said.
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