Is it possible for AI to beat the human in games?

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Is it possible for AI to beat the human in games?
11 Sep 2023
5 min read

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Artificial intelligence (AI) has taken giant leaps in recent years, showcasing its prowess by conquering a diverse array of games. From chess to complex real-time strategy games like StarCraft II and multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games like Dota 2, AI has left its mark in the world of gaming.

While these victories have demonstrated the capacity of AI to master games requiring strategic thinking, it raises the question of whether there are games that AI will never be able to conquer.

This exploration delves into the realm of AI's gaming achievements, the techniques it employs to outmatch human players, and the games it has triumphed in.

We also contemplate the possibility of certain games always eluding AI due to their reliance on creativity and intuition.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has made significant progress in recent years, and it is now capable of beating humans in a variety of games. In 1997, IBM's Deep Blue chess computer defeated world champion Garry Kasparov.

In 2016, Google's AlphaGo program defeated Lee Sedol, a professional Go player. And in 2019, DeepMind's AlphaStar program defeated professional StarCraft II players.

These victories have shown that AI is capable of mastering complex games that require a high degree of strategic thinking. However, there are still some games that may always be beyond the reach of AI. These games are likely to be those that require creativity or intuition, such as poker or creative writing.

Is it possible for AI to beat the human in games? 

How does AI beat humans in games?

AI programs typically beat humans in games by using a combination of techniques, including:

  • Machine learning: 

Machine learning is a facet of artificial intelligence that empowers computers to acquire knowledge and adapt their behavior without the need for explicit programming. AI programs that use machine learning can learn from their mistakes and improve their performance over time.

This is done by feeding the AI program data from previous games and allowing it to identify patterns and relationships in the data. Once the AI program has identified these patterns, it can use this information to make better decisions in future games.

  • Pattern recognition: 

Pattern recognition is another technique that AI programs use to beat humans in games.Pattern recognition entails the capability to discern recurring patterns within datasets.

AI programs that use pattern recognition can identify patterns in the game state and use this information to make better decisions. For example, an AI program that plays chess can identify patterns in the position of the pieces and use this information to calculate the best move.

  • Game theory:

Game theory is a mathematical discipline dedicated to the examination of strategic decision-making processes. AI programs that use game theory can calculate the optimal strategy for a given situation.

This is done by considering all possible outcomes of the game and selecting the outcome that is most beneficial to the AI program. For example, an AI program that plays poker can use game theory to calculate the best betting strategy.

In addition to these three techniques, AI programs can also use other techniques to beat humans in games. These techniques include deep learning, reinforcement learning, and evolutionary algorithms.

Deep learning is a subset of machine learning that harnesses artificial neural networks for the purpose of acquiring knowledge from data. Reinforcement learning is a type of machine learning that allows AI programs to learn by trial and error.

Evolutionary algorithms are a type of search algorithm that uses natural selection to find the best solution to a problem.

The latest data and information on AI in games shows that AI programs are becoming increasingly sophisticated and are now able to beat humans in a wide variety of games. In 2022, OpenAI Five, an AI team, defeated a team of professional Dota 2 players. This was a significant achievement, as Dota 2 is a complex game that requires a high degree of strategic thinking and teamwork.

It is likely that AI will continue to improve in games, and it is possible that AI programs will eventually be able to beat humans in all games. However, there will always be some games that require creativity or intuition, and these games may always be beyond the reach of AI.

Are there any games that AI will never be able to beat humans in?

It is possible that there are some games that AI will never be able to beat humans in. These games are likely to be those that require creativity or intuition, such as poker or creative writing.

Despite advancements in AI, there remain games where human expertise prevails. According to ExpressVPN, games such as Settlers of Catan, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), and Cards Against Humanity stand as prime examples of challenges that AI struggles with. Even in games like Gran Turismo, Pokémon, and Monopoly, human players can still outshine their AI counterparts.

In poker, for example, humans are able to use their intuition to make decisions that are difficult for AI programs to replicate. In creative writing, humans are able to come up with new and original ideas that AI programs are not yet capable of generating.

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What games has AI beaten humans in?

AI has beaten humans in a variety of games, including:

  • Chess: In 1997, IBM's Deep Blue chess computer defeated world champion Garry Kasparov. This was a major milestone in the development of AI, as it showed that AI programs could now beat humans in a game that was thought to require human intuition and creativity.

Since then, AI programs have continued to improve in chess, and they are now able to beat even the best human players. In 2021, the AI program Stockfish defeated the world champion Magnus Carlsen in a match of 100 games.

  • Go: Go is a much more complex game than chess, and it was thought to be even more difficult for AI programs to master. However, in 2016, Google's AlphaGo program defeated Lee Sedol, a professional Go player. This was a major breakthrough, and it showed that AI programs were now capable of mastering even the most complex games.

Since then, AI programs have continued to improve in Go, and they are now able to beat even the best human players. In 2020, AlphaGo Zero, a new version of the program, defeated the world champion Ke Jie 100-0 in a match of 100 games.

  • StarCraft II: StarCraft II is a real-time strategy game that is known for its complexity and its high level of competition. In 2019, DeepMind's AlphaStar program defeated professional StarCraft II players. This was a major achievement, as StarCraft II is a game that requires a high degree of strategic thinking and multitasking.

AlphaStar was able to defeat professional players by using a combination of techniques, including machine learning, pattern recognition, and game theory. The program was able to learn from its mistakes and improve its performance over time. It was also able to identify patterns in the game state and use this information to make better decisions.

  • Dota 2: Dota 2 is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game that is known for its complexity and its high level of competition. In 2022, OpenAI Five, an AI team, defeated a team of professional Dota 2 players. This was a significant achievement, as Dota 2 is a game that requires a high degree of strategic thinking, teamwork, and improvisation.

OpenAI Five was able to defeat professional players by using a combination of techniques, including machine learning, reinforcement learning, and deep learning. The program was able to learn from its mistakes and improve its performance over time. It was also able to identify patterns in the game state and use this information to make better decisions.

These are just a few of the games that AI has beaten humans in. As AI continues to improve, it is likely that AI programs will be able to beat humans in even more games. However, there will always be some games that require creativity or intuition, and these games may always be beyond the reach of AI.

What does the future hold for AI in games?

AI is still learning and improving, and it is possible that it will eventually be able to beat humans in all games. However, there are still some challenges that need to be overcome before this happens.

One challenge is that AI programs need to be able to learn from their mistakes and improve their performance over time. This is a difficult task, as games can be very complex and there are many possible strategies that can be used.

Another challenge is that AI programs need to be able to identify patterns in the game state and use this information to make better decisions. This is also a difficult task, as games can be very dynamic and the game state can change rapidly.

Despite these challenges, AI is making significant progress in games, and it is likely that it will eventually be able to beat humans in all games. However, there will always be some games that require creativity or intuition, and these games may always be beyond the reach of AI.

Conclusion:

The journey of artificial intelligence in the realm of gaming is a testament to human ingenuity and technological advancement. AI's triumphs in games like chess, Go, StarCraft II, and Dota 2 showcase its remarkable ability to master complex challenges that were once considered the exclusive domain of human intelligence.

In the future, AI's role in gaming may extend beyond competition, enhancing the gaming experience for human players by providing advanced opponents, generating creative content, and offering personalized recommendations.

The synergy between AI and gaming is an exciting frontier with endless possibilities, bridging the gap between human creativity and artificial intelligence.

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