Image: Virtual agents interacting in the virtual world of UrukOn February 16, NBC (A US television network) aired an episode of “Final Jeopardy” featuring Watson, an IBM supercomputer. Watson took on two human champions and the machine recorded a resounding victory over its human competitors. Watson’s performance has caused scientists, academics and businesspeople to ponder what future applications and business solutions could be addressed by such artificial intelligence (AI). Because of the difficulty and lack of success so far in building physical robots, there has been a tendency towards computer simulation where virtual agents in a virtual reality world attempt to achieve intelligent behaviour.
Important research in this field is happening in 3D virtual worlds such as Second Life, where they are becoming a new popular medium for a vast variety of so-called “serious games” applications. These games tackle problems like education, commerce, tourism etc. Significant advances are being made and some people are now wondering if the rise of AI platforms like Watson and those incorporated into programs like Second Life will mean the end of the live business agent model in the contact centre and customer care industry.
UWS research being conducted by Anton Bogdanovich is at the forefront of this field, and it is hoped that his research into the ability of a virtual agent to better interact in a dynamic virtual world will lead to better and more life-like AI. Anton’s work on the virtual city called Uruk recently placed 3rd at the 2011 Federal Virtual Worlds Challenge held by the US Army Research Laboratory – Simulation & Training Technology Centre, and we congratulate him on this great success.
UWS has filed a provisional patent based on Anton’s research and we encourage companies interested in co-development or commercial applications to contact Dr. Stephan Golla on 9685 9853 or email him at s.golla@uws.edu.au
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