Eve Online Player Corp names ChatGPT as its new leader

This is common in CCP Games’ massively multiplayer online space simulation Eva Online to grab headlines based on the mind-bending strategies of its dedicated community, but would the AI ​​be able to keep up with the deeply human wars of deception and espionage that often lead to the game’s most compelling moments? A group of players hope to find the answer.

Neural nexus is a Eva Online Corporation – a player-run organization analogous to a World of Warcraft Guild – founded with the aim of using known technologies, at least colloquially

, as artificial intelligence. By leaving decisions up to ourselves the GPT-4 based chatbotThe group hopes to reduce “reliance on a single human leader” and “the potential for conflict or disagreement over the company’s direction,” two major obstacles the founders see to the company’s longevity.

“United by our commitment to shared joy, mutual collaboration and strategic growth,” says the Neural Nexus Mission statement explains: “We strive to use our skills to enhance our collective experience, draw knowledge from it, and contribute to the rich tapestry of New Eden.” With our AI, we strive to combine the ingenuity of human creativity with the power of advanced machine minds to build the first AI empire.”

Image: CCP Games

But how does it work? Accordingly the Neural Nexus CharterA company council meets once a month to discuss this with a ChatGPT Discord bot Eva Online‘s mechanic on matters that could have a “significant impact” on the company. As an example from the past, Jackie Fang, co-founder and council member of Neural Nexus, told Polygon: “Please give me a specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound goal for tomorrow,” to which the bot replied: “By the end of tomorrow.” I will take part in at least three fleet missions.”

The directors then communicate the bot’s instructions to the rest of the company and monitor day-to-day operations within this framework. The AI ​​interaction is recorded in such a way that all company members can see a complete log of past conversations to ensure that their specifications remain transparent.

Neural Nexus Council also uses ChatGPT to screen applications, even going so far as to allow the bot to decide the parameters by which it measures potential recruits. Four questions were decided, starting with the question of how long the hopefuls had been playing Eva Online about their personal feelings about participating in an AI-driven company. Because of the frequency with which they were asked, the council eventually added three questions of their own, such as what time zone the player lives in.

“We then have an onboarding period of approximately two weeks during which we observe how candidates integrate into our company activities,” said Celestis Aeon, CEO of Neural Nexus. “After this trial period, we consult the AI ​​again and provide it with this additional information and individual impressions of the recruiter. On this basis, a decision is then made as to whether the membership will be recognized as a full member or the trial membership will be terminated. This is done in a dialogue that allows us to extend trial memberships even for players who haven’t had much time for it eve

and had less opportunity to interact with us.”

Less significant functions left to the AI ​​include creating the Neural Nexus logo, naming ships, and creating a welcome message for the company.

Neural Nexus’ leadership also encourages players to consult the AI ​​in their daily activities and share their experiences as a collaborative role-playing and lore-building to attract additional recruits, but it is by no means necessary to hand over complete control to the Chatbot, not also for the company as a whole.

“Although AI is a powerful tool, members should remember that it is not infallible,” Neural Nexus’ AI engagement guidelines state. “Members should use their judgment when following the AI’s advice, taking into account the context of the game and the specific situation.”

Image: Microsoft, CCP Games

Since its debut in June, Neural Nexus has continued to provide regular progress reports The Eva Online Forums And its official website. Since then, the company has gained almost 20 members and is present in multiple regions. Its members even score kills against fellow players, although this is likely more a product of individual skill than AI influence.

AI is a hot topic lately. This is a worrying prospect, not only because of AI’s potential to displace real people from the creative process entirely (while simultaneously stealing existing artwork and writings on a massive scale), but also because much of what AI produces is absolute nonsense. In the case of Neural Nexus, however, I can’t help but see it as a fun experiment in a game already known for the boundary-pushing thought processes of its player base – and the developers at CCP Games feel the same way.

“We’re keeping an eye on it [Neural Nexus]“But not because we fear it will become illegal or violate certain policies,” a CCP Games spokesperson told Polygon. “We’re especially interested in seeing how it stacks up against the sharpest and brightest minds gaming in New Eden has to offer. So far, no one has tried to run an entire company with AI. Will it try to start a war? Will it try to optimize trade routes and surpass the many tools developed by players? These are the questions we want to know!”

Good luck, Neural Nexus, and may your AI tactician serve you well. I just hope you don’t hold it against me if I stand up for humanity instead.