Online science journal NewScientist.com has posted an interesting article about a computer at the University of Leeds in Yorkshire, UK, that has successfully taught itself to play a game. The game: the classic primary school decision game "Rock, Paper, Scissors". Instead of using classic hardwired logic to simulate artificial intelligence, it uses audio and visual cues to learn how to play a game.

The following was demonstrated an event sponsored by the British Computer Society in Cambridge, UK, in December 2004:

CogVis observed human volunteers playing a version of the game using cards marked with a pair of scissors, a piece of paper, or a stone. They were also told to announce when they had won or when the game was a draw. After watching for several rounds, CogVis was able to call the outcome of each game correctly.

New Scientist Breaking News: Machine learns games 'like a human'

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