Football to make computers smarter

Computer scientists in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) have taken a step forward by blending computer vision, machine learning and automated planning. They created a new system that may improve everything from factory efficiency to airport operation or nursing care. And, it’s based on watching the Oregon State University (OSU) Beavers play football.

The goal is for the computer to watch video of football plays, learn from them, and then design plays and control players in a football simulation or video game, according to an Oregon institute release.

The findings of the new study were published in AI Magazine, a professional journal of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence. “This is one of the first attempts to put several systems together and let a computer see something in the visual world, study it and then learn how to control it,” said Alan Fern, an OSU associate professor of computer science.

“Using football, we created learning algorithms that allow the computer to see the plays, analyse them and learn from them,” Fern said. “Ultimately, these systems should be able to see what is happening, understand it and maybe even improve it.” The work could have multiple applications.