A Microsoft researcher built a goat-powered LLM in Age of Empires II to prove it's not sentient
A Microsoft researcher used goats in Age of Empires II to build a neural network, challenging current notions of AI sentience.
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📍 How it ended
A Microsoft researcher built a neural network using goats in Age of Empires II to critique AI science and challenge the attribution of humanity to LLMs. The project aimed to demonstrate that LLMs should not be assumed to behave like humans simply because they were trained with natural language.
Epilogue added 16d ago, after coverage quieted.
The brief
A Microsoft researcher has constructed a functioning neural network and Large Language Model (LLM) using goats within the game Age of Empires II. The project serves as an absurdist critique of AI science and the concept of chatbot consciousness.
Coverage from The Decoder, Tom's Hardware, XDA, and 404 Media emphasizes that the project intends to mock the idea of AI consciousness. One report notes the project suggests that if AI is considered sentient, then Age of Empires II would be as well.
Future focus remains on the researcher's critique of AI science and the associated essay regarding human attributes mentioned in Windows Central coverage.
Synthesized by Archynetys from the headlines below under a strict no-invention contract. ✓ fact-checked: all claims supported by sources Updated 31d ago.
Quick answers
What was used to build the neural network?
The network was built using goats within the game Age of Empires II.
What is the purpose of the 'goaty experiment'?
It is intended to critique AI science and mock the idea that chatbots possess consciousness.
Who is behind the project?
The project was created by a Microsoft researcher.
Coverage (8)
- Microsoft and York University Paper Challenges How We Attribute "Humanity" to LLMs quasa.io · 30d ago
- Microsoft researcher builds goat-powered neural network in Age of Empires 2 to show why we should 'stop assuming that LLMs behave like humans just because they were trained with natural language' PC Gamer · 30d ago
- Frustrated Microsoft Researcher Uses Goats in 'Age of Empires II' to Demo the Absurdity of LLMs Gizmodo · 30d ago
- Microsoft researcher builds a working neural network out of goats in Age of Empires II to critique AI science The Decoder · 32d ago
- An Age of Empires II fan wrote a full essay on human attributes, and it’s a surprisingly thoughtful read Windows Central · 32d ago
- Age of Empires II’s goats used as AI building blocks to build a neural network — goaty experiment mocks the idea of chatbot consciousness, Microsoft AI researcher’s project makes an absurdist point about AI consciousness Tom's Hardware · 32d ago
- If AI Is Sentient Then So Is ‘Age of Empires II’ 404 Media · 32d ago
- A Microsoft researcher built a goat-powered LLM in Age of Empires II to prove it's not sentient XDA · 32d ago
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