In another sign we're heading for a 'Westworld' style future, AI is now beating the professionals at video games.
GT Sophy is a superhuman AI designed by Sony to beat the world's best 'Gran Turismo' players.
The AI was trained in a process called "novel deep reinforcement learning platform" which is science-speak for "learning from humans and adapting".
In a series of tests carried out in 2021, GT Sophy was put through its paces against four of the world's best 'Gran Turismo Sport' players.
After the first race, the AI quickly adapted to what it learned from coming up against the worlds best players, and subsequently beat them in future races.
The AI picked up on the split-second decisions that the professionals made, and adapted them for its own use in the subsequent races.
GT Sophy also implemented professional techniques such as slipstream passing, defensive moves such as blocking and followed the etiquette of the sport.
2017's 'Gran Turismo Sport' was used as the proving ground for the AI, and the professionals hailed the AI as a worthy rival.
Takuma Miyazono, champion of the FIA Gran Turismo Championships for 2020 said “I completely forgot that I was playing against AI. It was really fun. I want to race with the agent more in the future.”
'Gran Turismo' series creator Kazunori Yamauchi said “AI research is a good opportunity to really think about what it means to be human and how technology and society can better co-exist."
"Since its first release in 1997, the 'Gran Turismo' franchise has continued to push the boundaries of gaming and innovation through a curiosity for technology."
"GT Sophy is a further demonstration of this philosophy, and I believe that this AI concept will contribute to both the future of games and automobiles," he added.
The findings were published in the academic journal Nature which can be read in full here, and you can get a breakdown from Sony on their website.
'Gran Turismo 7' is set for release next month, so presumably, GT Sophy will have to learn the game all over again.
With that said, if it can adapt new tactics after one race of 'Gran Turismo Sport', the new game will be a cinch.
