Microsoft Researcher Constructs Neural Network in Age of Empires II

META: A Microsoft researcher critiques AI research methods by building a neural network in Age of Empires II, analyzing 315 papers on language models.

A Microsoft researcher has built a working neural network using goats in Age of Empires II. This project serves as a critique of AI research methodologies, particularly highlighting that more than half of the 315 analyzed papers assume language models possess human-like traits. The researcher argues that this assumption may lead to flawed conclusions in the field.

This initiative reflects ongoing discussions about the validity of AI research practices, following concerns raised about the sustainability of funding for AI projects, as noted in previous coverage. The construction of the neural network in a gaming environment illustrates a novel approach to examining AI assumptions and could influence how researchers validate their models in the future. For practitioners, this underscores the importance of critically assessing foundational assumptions in AI research.

The Decoder reported.