This week’s film was one that really surprised me. I was extremely intrigued in not only the game but the emotional investment by those involved. This idea that a physical game that is hundreds of years old that is now turned into a virtual online game that is now AI, further proves that western society really doesn’t pay attention to major/minor event that happen in Asia, where it was making headlines across their countries.
The fact is that these players not only see the game as a combination of moves and strategy, but as an art form. The computer program of AlphaGo in 2016 went up against the worlds lead Go player Lee Sedol but the board game itself, centuries old, holds more possible configurations that atoms in the universe. The use of specific moves and placements led to some who watched calling them ‘beautiful’ as if brush strokes on a canvas.
Many people outside of the creative industry forget that so much time and effort goes into ever piece of technology; equipment, design, advertising, packaging, the list goes on. Yet we are one of THE most overlooked industries that contributes the most when it comes to visuals.
https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/26/22348095/nintendo-switch-nvidia-dlss-graphics-ai-explained
The gaming industry is just one that combines technology, art and programming to create something that provides entertainment and employment whilst expanding their fan basis that then lead to merchandising, Comic Cons and brand deals.
Humanity is constantly changing, and with that, technological advancements will only push us further into the future as the creation of Deep Minds AlphaGo proves. The limits of technology and Artificial Intelligence have no boundaries, and if used in the right context, will no only be able to reverse climate change damages, but can aid industries like farming, health care and housing. Although the production of AlphaGo is one step in the direction of AI in gaming, it is a huge jump into what can be done for the future.
https://www.antoniafishart.com/little-fish-blog/alphago-and-ai
#BCM #ArtificialIntelligence #Gamingindustry
Digital Asia 
This interface between technology, art and programming that you mention is thoroughly interesting, right? I reckon a large part of the reason I found the film so compelling was this tension between the innately human and the machine. Traditionally, computers have served specific defined roles within society. In fact, there’s a famous quote from Stuart Walesh that states “[Computers are] incredibly fast, accurate, and stupid. Man is unbelievably slow, inaccurate, and brilliant”. Alpha Go’s success seems to challenge us to redefine this traditional view of the man/machine relationship.
In the region we’re seeing applications that echo this sentiment; one example that comes to mind is the research into AIs for use in aged care settings. We’ve seen in China the development of AI driven apps for the elderly, where they can seek support, food and communicate with their families. We’ve also seen research into AI robots to help meet the social needs of residents. This kind of tech definitely continues to challenge norms and redefine our relationships with both technology and each other.
Mirroring your final sentiment, Walesh went on in his original quote regarding man & machine; “The marriage of the two is a challenge and opportunity beyond imagination”.
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Thank you Antonia for your insights and comments. For me, the fact that an AI beat even the world’s lead GO player didn’t surprise me at all. In a game that requires intelligence and skills, I highly doubt that humans can beat a professionally programmed machine, and we can see exactly that from the results between AlphaGo and Lee Sedol. Even in arcades, a lot of games are rigged or programmed in a way that it is almost impossible to beat without robotic-like precision. This documentary shows us the potential of what we should expect in the future of esports with the advancement in technology in gaming.
I agree that the definite distinction between computers and humans is lack of emotion in computers. Not only do computers lack the “human touch”, the blood, sweat, and tears of a player progressing up to be who they are today, and the hardships they have overcome to reach their point can never be replaced or even found in an AI. Despite losing to AI, I believe that the most important thing to be celebrated should be the process and journey instead of the outcome.
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