StarCraft II Pro

An AI by the name of AlphaStar has just successfully become a Grand Master at the video game StarCraft II.



The game of StarCraft II has often been dubbed as one of the most complex video games out there. Easy to understand yet incredibly difficult to learn how to play like a pro, AlphaStay grew to its current level of ability in just 44 days. It has beat 99.8% of all of its opponents since its inception. The important thing to note is that the AI was able to grow to its current level by "watching" recordings of other players and constant practice against itself to iron out any weaknesses in its game play. The broader hope for such a program is that said technology could be applied to predicting the weather and self driving cars.

The Guardian Article

Robo Builders

Currently, the assembly of vehicle parts and the construction of architecture has been either done in separate parts of the world or susceptible to human error. In an article published in Science Daily, researchers at MIT have been hard at work in producing a brand new "builder bot" of sorts. The robot is dubbed BILL-E (Bipedal Isotropic Locomoting Explorer).



BILL-E is capable of erecting structures without the need for a human to intervene. The human gives the robot a plan that it is capable of building and then it handles the rest. The hope is that it might be able to stop the current practice of certain structures needing to be assembled in separate locations. An example would be a commercial airliner where its wings may be constructed an assembled in one area, but the fuselage in another. The hope for BILL-E is that it may be able to stop this practice, which could positively impact the environment as it would eliminate the need to transport the separate pieces for final assembly.



Another hope is that a robot like BILL-E will be able to build human-livable structures on Mars. It would eliminate the need for humans to begin building as soon as they arrive on the Red Planet and instead have some sort of established base to begin whatever research they are there for.

The Science Daily Article

Computer Chip Showdown

The United States is the global leader in the production of computer chips and semiconductors. In a recent move that seeks to undermine the authority of another global powerhouse, the U.S has decided to stop selling chip components to several Chinese computer companies, specifically those in the AI development sector such as voice and face recognition software companies. This move is part of the larger power struggle occurring between both nations. China does seem to be in trouble as they domestically produce just 16% of the chip components they use. Beijing has noted that its goal is to increase that number to 40% by the end of next year and to 70% by 2025.



Despite the lofty goals set, China's AI sector could suffer a set back. Over the recent weeks, Chinese tech giants Huawei and Alibaba have unveiled new computer chips meant to increase the speed of machine learning. The further implication of such a development is the impact on the military technology sector in China. Looking like a preventative measure more than anything, the U.S seeks to halt the production of AI military software that could pose a threat later on. As much as it is a power move to constrict AI development in China, it is also a defensive measure to reduce China's geopolitical power by attacking its AI development.

The BBC Article