Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


0

Your Pal in Second Life May Be a Robot

Researchers use virtual world to test AI creations

Share

(Newser) – Scientists are creating virtual robots in a virtual world with the hope of simulating real people. Got it? Second Life is prime testing ground for artificial intelligence because it allows experts to exert more control over their creations. “It’s a very inexpensive way to test out our technologies right now,” one says.

Scientists plan to let their avatars roam the virtual world freely, and they’re getting close: By training one robot to guess others' thoughts, they’ve raised it to the level of a toddler, the AP reports. Second Life is a “fantastic sweet spot,” said one computer science professor: “not too simple, not too complicated, (with) high cultural value.”

"Second Life" is a prime frontier in AI research because it's a controllable environment where testing intelligent creations is easier.   (KRT Photos)
Scientists have been hard-pressed to develop a computer program that's smart enough to mimic a real person.
Scientists have been hard-pressed to develop a computer program that's smart enough to mimic a real person.   (Getty Images)
The ability to make inferences about the thoughts of others is significant for an AI agent.
The ability to make inferences about the thoughts of others is significant for an AI agent.   (Getty Images (by Event) Individuals)
Scientists are seeking out
Scientists are seeking out "Second Life" to test their creations of artificial intelligence.   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
0 comments
VIEWING:
 
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

65 Stories

 Japanese Dying to Get 
 Into Highrise Cemeteries 

High-tech facilities in demand as traditional grave prices top $100,000

Oct 13, 09 3:29 AM CDT
(Newser) - High-tech, high-rise cemeteries are sprouting across Japan as a shortage of land drives up prices in ground-level graveyards. The cemeteries, typically five or six stories high, store the dead in urns which can be retrieved by robots and delivered to mourning rooms by visiting family members with a swipe of... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Japan • robot • mourning • cemetery

New 'Spider Pill' Roams Body Hunting Cancer

Camera pill first to be fully remote-controlled

Oct 12, 09 10:47 AM CDT
(Newser) - It sounds like something out of science fiction, but a tiny robotic spider could save your life. Scientists have created a pill-sized camera that, once swallowed, can deploy mechanical legs and roam the body looking for cancer or other maladies, the Daily Telegraph reports. The “spider pill” is controlled... More »

MORE ABOUT:
cancer • medical breakthrough • camera • robot • pills

 Ditch Your Trashy Avatar 

Businesses who use virtual worlds need 3-D dress codes

Oct 8, 09 4:00 PM CDT
(Newser) - With businesses increasingly making use of virtual worlds like Second Life for long-distance training and conferences, it’s important for employees to show a little discretion with their choice of avatar, warns a report from tech advisory firm Gartner. “Because 3-D environments add the visual dimension, they will need... More »

MORE ABOUT:
business • training • Second Life • conference • avatar

65 Stories


Young people seek work in cyberspace
Wall Street Journal

IBM workers get a 'Second Life'
Half-Life Source

...but most virtual stores close up shop
PC World


Technology  •  Arts & Living 
TwitterFollow @NewserTech on Twitter

 
artificial intelligence • Second Life • robot • avatar

from our news partners