Microsoft have recently posted an intriguing interview with Eric Horvitz, the Managing Director at Microsoft Research. One of the most tantalising excerpts for technophiles such as myself is Horvitz’ notion, that Siri, Google Now and Cortana are at the forefront of the next major battle in tech – the battle to forge the worlds first genuinely useful A.I.
Cortana is of course, Microsoft’s effort. Whilst she perhaps represents a virtual intelligence more than an artificial intelligence right now, Microsoft have a big vision for the Halo inspired service.
Cortana is already heading to Windows 10, which will potentially put her in the hands of millions of people – and give her (with permission) access to a vast array of data to tailor your experience. Google Now is perhaps the most advanced of the big three right now, but is limited to phones and the Chrome browser. Siri has yet to make an appearance beyond iOS.
To crack a standard formula for A.I. could revolutionise the world. Robot workers is an industrial holy grail, and could create abundance for all, but of course A.I.’s most important application would be video games. No more mobs stuck on trees, no more dumb soldiers running into grenades, I envisage a veritable video game golden age. Oh and, I dunno, an end to world hunger and stuff like that.
HoloLens, Kinect and other incredible Microsoft systems and devices usually begin their journey within the confines of Microsoft Research. We’re only offered glimpses of the crazy things they get up to by way of infrequent leaks and patent submissions. Microsoft outspend Apple and Google on research and development, and if Horovitz’ assertions about the necessity of competition in creating a true A.I., Microsoft are poised to lead the way.
Stuff like this always reminds me of this old /v/ comic which was made to mock the Kinect V1 reveal. “What Xbros believe” could actually happen some day. This comic is turning out to be basically HoloLens and Cortana.
If you’re into tech, I urge you to watch the full interview here, it’s rather good.
So with that I ask, will it be Apple, Google or Microsoft who end up creating Skynet leading to the apocalypse?
Jez C (MSFTY) is a games journalist, Executive Editor at Windows Central. They contributed 39 articles to ICXM in 2015, focused on game reviews, Windows and PC, and Xbox news: now leads Xbox coverage at Future plc’s Windows Central as Executive Editor.