While the wider world of tech is diving headfirst into adopting artificial intelligence into their systems, Nintendo has signalled that it will not be doing the same anytime soon.
During a Q&A session with investors, Nintendo’s president Shuntaro Furukawa said: “Generative AI, which is becoming a big topic recently, can be used in creative ways, but we recognise that it may also raise issues with intellectual property rights.
“We have decades of know-how in creating the best gaming experiences for our players. While we are open to utilising technological developments, we will work to continue delivering value that is unique to Nintendo and cannot be created by technology alone.”
Furukawa’s comments on AI signal that Nintendo will probably stand alone, at least for a while, as its competitors have expressed a more supportive tone when speaking on the developing technology.
Microsoft, the maker of Xbox, previously revealed plans to add an AI chatbot to its consoles, aimed at assisting players with queries and refunds. The adoption is restricted to consumer services at the moment, but Microsoft executives outlined an “Xbox Everywhere” vision that included “AI innovation” as a central part of that ambition.
PlayStation, on the other hand, is rumoured to be preparing for a new PS5 Pro console, which will include PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an upscaling technique that uses AI to improve the quality of images.
These moves signal that unlike Nintendo, PlayStation and Xbox will be integrating AI into their consoles – and most likely into their games in the near future. Acceptance and adoption are not necessarily a bad thing, but Furukuwas's point still stands – the further you go into the world of AI, the more issues concerning intellectual property rights may arise.
Before the AI boom of the past two years, games might have been considered champions of artificial intelligence. For generations, players would play against the computer, trying to beat it. The commands and code entered for the computer to be both efficient and believable is an early form of artificial intelligence.
The issues occur when AI begins making creative decisions, rather than smartly executing the commands given to it. This, even with legal issues aside, is the crux of the generative AI problem.
Imagine for example if Super Mario came face to face with his arch-enemy Bowser, who instead of reciting his written dialogue, goes on a tangent about the political dynamics of the former Yugoslavian states.
The assumption now is that if generative AI is introduced to this environment, then the possibilities are endless. Conversations could be had with non-playable characters or missions could be generated on the fly, making it possible to play a game for years before it becomes old.
But this only sounds good in theory. In practice, giving AI the power to create itself, to act as both artist and author, removes all the benefits of both. Texts could turn inflammatory, missions could become repetitive and stale, stories could meander into the distance and the artistic and narrative merit could very well disappear entirely.
Nintendo’s current stance should be exemplary to others – avoid jumping right in. Not to say Xbox and PlayStation are doing something wrong, but it doesn’t hurt to be careful, especially with a new and growing piece of technology.
More and more video game developers will eventually adopt the use of AI in their processes, most likely ushering in a new age for the medium. The prediction on my part is that this will be short-lived, and gamers will want to go back to what we have known for years – a good game is the result of creative artists, designers and developers.
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Teaching your child to save
Pre-school (three - five years)
You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.
Early childhood (six - eight years)
Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.
Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)
Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.
Young teens (12 - 14 years)
Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.
Teenage (15 - 18 years)
Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.
Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)
Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.
* JP Morgan Private Bank
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
POSSIBLE ENGLAND EURO 2020 SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Dean Henderson.
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier, Joe Gomez, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Ben Chilwell, Fabian Delph.
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Harry Winks, Jordan Henderson, Ross Barkley, Mason Mount, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Forwards: Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Tammy Abraham, Callum Hudson-Odoi.
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
When is VAR used?
• Goals
• Penalty decisions
• Direct red-card incidents
• Mistaken identity
UAE's final round of matches
- Sep 1, 2016 Beat Japan 2-1 (away)
- Sep 6, 2016 Lost to Australia 1-0 (home)
- Oct 6, 2016 Beat Thailand 3-1 (home)
- Oct 11, 2016 Lost to Saudi Arabia 3-0 (away)
- Nov 15, 2016 Beat Iraq 2-0 (home)
- Mar 23, 2017 Lost to Japan 2-0 (home)
- Mar 28, 2017 Lost to Australia 2-0 (away)
- June 13, 2017 Drew 1-1 with Thailand (away)
- Aug 29, 2017 v Saudi Arabia (home)
- Sep 5, 2017 v Iraq (away)
