A few weekends ago I agreed to drive up to a ski resort with Max for a weekend.  Sounds nice, huh? I was thinking the same thing until the actual drive up there when he reminded me it was an overnight stay for an AI workshop he was speaking at. Of course my first thought was BORING!!!!!!!  I made mental note to pay more attention next time Max talks to me and I happen to be playing Halo at the same time.

Five hours and another Canadian stamp on my passport later we arrived at the Whistler Ski Resort. Max and I were debating on whether he should get in touch with his contact there, Ralph Herbrich and Thore Graepel, or just call it a night. Ten minutes later we had met up with Ralph and Thore at one of the hotel bars. Within a few minutes of talking I learned that these were the guys responsible for “True Skill,” the ranking system in Halo 3. I expressed how really cool it was to meet them, and that I’m a big H3 player. They remarked how awesome they though it was that I was a girl and into games. I promptly replied that I was part of a group of girls called the Frag Dolls and explained how I got into gaming for a living through PMS. Ralph and Thore are both from Europe and I was not expecting them to know anything about the Frag Dolls; I could not have been more wrong. They immediately closed up their tabs and invited Max and I to go LAN for a bit before dinner. I expected split screening on a tiny hotel TV. *WRONG* These guys know how to travel! Not only did they bring their own projector, but they also had a wireless router and a sound system! I was sad we were only able to play for an hour before the speakers’ dinner, but I guess all good things come to an end.

The next morning came bright and early. Max was the first speaker, so no being late. I, for the millionth time, thanked God for wireless internet and my XPS to keep me occupied.  Max had to demo at 11 so we were going to be there for a few hours, at least. His presentation was really cool, though I’m biased and I love Halo, but that’s expected. I had planned on tuning out the rest of the speakers as I kept up on all the latest celebrity gossip and other bits of various internet trash.  Except, the next speaker (Jonathan Schaeffer, University of Alberta) began I couldn’t help but listen. Artificial Intelligence has always seemed interesting to me, like something only in sci-fi movies and books. To hear about all the various methods of programming or even trying to decipher the jargon which they were using, quickly became fascinating. I could hardly wait for the drive home so I could pick Max’s brain on this new side of gaming and technology in general. While I don’t think it’s something I could do for a living, I have new respect for those who are involved with AI. Whether it’s playing poker on your PC, or a 20 year old checker problem solved, intelligence (artificial or not) is always progressing.