To simulate character or create it through artificial intelligence?
justingibbs — Wed, 2008-03-12 22:43
In trying to develop immersive drama I'm naturally interested in artificial intelligence (AI) and how it might be used to create realistic characters. Given AI today, we can create the NPCs (Non Player Characters) we encounter in video games today. To create immersive drama we will most likely need more from NPCs and consequently AI. So you can understand my enthusiasm when I read posts like, Virtual character with child-like reasoning abilities enters Second Life.
Truly convincing autonomous synthetic characters must possess memories; believe things, want things, remember things.
A pretty tall order, but that's pretty much in line with the field of AI - grand predictions and a lot of failure. But maybe the researchers at Rensselaer’s Cognitive Science Department have figured out a way to make it work. Than again, some of the quotes from the post make me suspicious.
“Declarative definitions of all of the concepts central to a theory of the mind, including lying, betrayal, and even evil,” are covered as well, according to Bringsjord.
Evil - really. Perhaps that is stretching it a bit? The concept to try and recreate the theory of mind makes sense, however when do we cross over from trying to create the illusion of a character and creating a real entity? If Bringsjord's objective is entertainment he might be a little off the mark, especially when you consider a character in a movie is more a metaphor for human nature than true representation.
A character is a work of art, a metaphor for human nature. We relate to characters as if they were real, but they're superior to reality. Their aspects are designed to be clear and knowable; whereas our fellow humans are difficult to understand, if not enigmatic. We know characters better than we know our friends because a character is eternal and unchanging, while people shift - just when we thing we understand them, we don't. In fact, I know Rick Blaine in CASABLANCA better then I know myself. Rick is always Rick. I'm a bit iffy.
- Robert McKee
When I read about AI initiatives like this it reminds me of my issues with interactive story - where the usual approach is more that of a problem solver than artist. Sometimes I question if researchers are aiming more for
