Sony has unveiled an advanced AI that can outperform top human players in Gran Turismo 7, using only the visuals available to players. This represents a major advancement from their 2022 model, GT Sophy, which relied on additional data.

The Evolution of GT Sophy

Kaushik Subramanian and his team at Sony have developed an AI model that has evolved significantly. Initially, GT Sophy used extra information for training, such as track layouts and opponent positions. The latest version, however, operates solely on the visual information that players see during the game.

How the AI Trains

The AI is trained through a system of rewards and penalties. Speed is rewarded, while errors such as crashing or going off-track are penalized. This training method allows the AI to develop racing strategies similar to those of human players, making its performance even more impressive.

Beating Human Players

In extensive time trials, Sony’s AI has proven its superiority. It outperformed the best human driver from a pool of 130,000 races in 94% of test laps. This success rate matches that of the earlier GT Sophy model, despite the new AI’s reliance solely on visual data.

While the AI excels in time trials, racing against other drivers presents additional challenges. Michael Cook from King’s College London notes that the AI struggles with the unpredictability of human opponents.

Georgios Yannakakis from the Institute of Digital Games in Malta explains that the AI requires extensive retraining to handle the complex dynamics of competitive racing.

The potential of this AI extends beyond gaming. The techniques used in developing this model could influence real-world applications, such as autonomous driving. Sony’s success in creating an AI that can compete on visual data alone is a significant milestone in AI research.

Implications for Gaming and Beyond

The success of Sony’s AI in Gran Turismo 7 raises intriguing possibilities for the future of gaming. As AI continues to improve, it could transform competitive gaming, making it more challenging and exciting. However, it also raises questions about the role of human players in a world where AI can outperform them.

Sony’s achievement is a testament to the rapid advancements in AI technology. As AI models become more sophisticated, their applications will likely extend far beyond gaming, potentially revolutionizing various industries.

The Bottom Line

Sony’s latest AI breakthrough in Gran Turismo 7 showcases the incredible potential of AI. By mastering the game using only visual information, this AI model not only surpasses human players but also opens up new avenues for the application of AI technology.

As the field of AI continues to evolve, we can expect even more groundbreaking developments in the near future.