Sony launching AI organisation with ‘flagship gaming project’

Sony has established a new organisation to advance research and development of artificial intelligence (AI).

With offices in Japan, Europe and the US, Sony AI will “drive the research and development of AI in both physical and virtual space through multiple world-class flagship projects”.

It will initially launch three such projects, in gaming, imaging and sensing, and gastronomy.

“The adoption of new AI technologies developed through these flagship projects will be critical to further enhancing the value of Sony’s gaming and sensor businesses in coming years,” Sony said.

“This research will be pursued in close collaboration with the relevant Sony Group business units.”

Hiroaki Kitano, the CEO Sony Computer Science Laboratories, will manage Sony AI globally, while the American site will be headed by Peter Stone, professor of Computer Science at the University of Texas at Austin.

Sony recently filed a patent application for an AI voice assistant called PlayStation Assist.

Titled ‘Voice help system using artificial intelligence,’ the patent application describes a system designed to stop users becoming frustrated and quitting games when they get stuck.

In one example, the patent describes a Horizon Zero Dawn player asking where to locate the nearest health item in the game. PlayStation Assist would respond by placing a marker on the in-game map.

PlayStation Assist responses could be provided through one or more formats including audio, text and video, the patent says.

In another example, Sony describes sending users instructions on how to defeat a boss in God of War using a sequence of controller inputs.

“In one implementation, the sequence of controller inputs may be provided through an instructional video that visually shows how to execute the hammer blow sequence,” it says. “In addition, ghost hands may be presented showing how the ghost hand interacts with each of the buttons or actuators in the sequence.”

Another Sony patent uncovered earlier this week revealed images of what could be the PlayStation 5 controller.