A Bot Backed by Elon Musk Has Made an AI Breakthrough in Video Game World

  • OpenAI researchers prepped software with repetitive learning
  • Game success is step toward tackling complexity of real world

Dota 2 tournament at the Wang Theatre in Boston.

Photographer: Justin Saglio/AFP via Getty Images

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Artificial-intelligence research group OpenAI said it created software capable of beating teams of five skilled human players in the video game Dota 2, a milestone in computer science.

The achievement puts San Francisco-based OpenAI, whose backers include billionaire Elon Musk, ahead of other artificial-intelligence researchers in developing software that can master complex games combining fast, real-time action, longer-term strategy, imperfect information and team play.