AI is certainly the biggest buzzword in tech over the last year or so, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down, especially for Microsoft. Via a new report from Tom Warren at The Verge, Microsoft are making the push for AI across the business, including gaming, with Xbox working on an AI-driven Xbox Chatbot.
According to The Verge and their sources, the chatbot is represented by an “Embodied AI character” that will presumably emote and animate when delivers responses to any inputted user queries.
It’s some interesting timing, considering the recent opinion piece from our friend Jez Corden over at Windows Central, which talks about how the use of artificial intelligence and automated processes are leading to Xbox customers being banned when they haven’t necessarily broken any rules.
Reportedly, the new chatbot has apparent broad access to Microsoft’s internal support documentation for the Xbox network and wider ecosystem, and has had its testing pool expanded “more broadly in recent days”.
The Verge did reach out for comment with regards to Xbox working on an AI-driven Xbox Chatbot, and Microsoft confirmed its existence.
“We are testing an Xbox Support Virtual Agent, an internal prototype of an animated character that can query Xbox Support topics with voice or text. The prototype makes it easier and quicker for players to get help with support topics using natural language, taking information from existing Xbox Support pages.”
Haiyan Zhang, GM of Gaming AI, Xbox
It’s clear the use of AI across various technology industries isn’t going to slow down, but gamers and the wider gaming media have been sceptical at best when it comes to implementation.
Are you pleased to see yet more automation instead of being able to speak to a human being? Are you worried this chatbot may eventually become self-aware and lead to Judgment Day? Let us know in the comments below.
Maybe they’ll bring back Clippy?
