Today technology is at its zenith where game developers are also focusing on creating engaging gameplay as well as in the combination of laws and AI (Artificial Intelligence) algorithms. But how exactly the AI algorithm works? According to SAS, it works by combining large amounts of data with fast, iterative processing and intelligent algorithms to allow the software to learn automatically from patterns or features in the data. Simplifying it remembered from the Japanese horror media franchise Resident Evil where a supercomputer (created by Umbrella Academy with data, behaviour and strategies) took charge and controlled the society that is AI.
Gaming has been the harbinger of the new technological advancement and AI is no exception. Roanuz Softwares founder CEO, Anto Binish Kaspar told us in a conversation that “The games are endlessly procedural, generating environments and situations on the fly, and allow players to perform any action in a virtual world that they could in the real one. Going even further, it responds to the emotional and psychological state of its players, adapting and responding to human behaviour and evolving over time. Every game with AI technology has strict laws and rules.”
Since the inception of the AI technology in 1950s, AI is used in the gaming sector to generate responsive, adaptive or intelligent behaviours primarily in non-player characters (NPCs) similar to human-like intelligence. “The game which is built using AI tech is 50 per cent psychological and 50 per cent AI,” he added. The AI games are completely built on how humans react to each situation and move.
If we look at the past every classic game has AI technology be it PAC Man or Mario to dungeon crawler Dead Cells, it has been an integral part but the games were not fully controlled with AI. However at a broader sense, the pace of incorporation of AI technology in gaming is not at par as it is “still the early stages integration and lots of experiments are undergoing in order to give a greater user experience,” Kaspar added
But where are we heading? We are heading to the AI-controlled mosaic where our every action could be traced and kind of controlled by AI. As per recent account in 2019 AI technology has to be circuited to transform homes into smart AI-controlled homes in most of the countries like the US, Japan, and much more. Even people are not fully aware of the fact how AI is slowly integrating in our day to day life from AI-controlled smartphone cameras to AI assistants like Siri, Alexa, Google assistant to Cortana and thus every action of our life is wired and simplified as well.
“In the next 10 years, the technologist believes that everything is AI from transport to war in almost all the countries,” he added. In Addition to that inclusion of AI technology in gaming will be at high pace after five years as the industry is getting ready to brace it completely. “After five years, the industry can experience a more realistic view of gaming experience and will able to connect the game character easily,” he added.
According to an estimate in a study by tech giant Accenture, AI has the potential to add $957 billion, or 15 per cent of current gross value added, to India’s economy by 2035. In addition, the driving forces behind the encouragement are “technology, data and talents which make industry compelling and expect to have a substantial growth in the future,” Kaspar added.
On top of that India, AI startups have attracted investors from around the globe. “In 2018, the startup raised an all-time high capital, registering a 368 per cent growth from 2017. In 2018, startups with operations in India and globally raised approximately $529.52 million which big sign of improvement for the AI companies compared to other companies,” he added.
On account of the statistics and experts voices, AI technology business indeed is aiming big to transform the living in ten years of time. However as per gaming sector is concerned AI will completely transform the gaming ecosystem five years of time, he expressed. In result to that this will open up opportunities for job creation as well as a new business.
Thus many students are opting for studies on AI as it is a viable career option. Once the incorporation rate of technology reaches the mark the demand for AI professionals will rise and for that institutions are preparing students by including AI technology in the academic courses so that they could live up to the demand of the future. Taking an example, recently Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad has launched a full- proof B.Tech program in AI which has started from the this Academic Year 2019-2020.
“The demand for the AI professional has been enhanced over the last few years since AI technology has been deployed in every industry.AI professional are getting 60 to 80 per cent hike while switching jobs, compared with an average of 20 to 30 per cent in other skill areas. AI professionals can easily adapt to any new kind of technologies as well in the near future. As of now, AI seems to be a better career option for the students” he added.
The concept of emergent AI has recently been explored in games such as Creatures, Black & White and Nintendogs and toys such as Tamagotchi. The pets in these games are able to learn from actions taken by the player and their behaviour is modified accordingly. While these choices are taken from a limited pool as the technology is still under chiaroscuro zone due to lack of awareness and knowledge but it is expected to be in light in the next five years. The gaming sector is yet to be fully AI-controlled but it is aiming big to embrace the technology fully.