'Second Life avatar able to think'

[Peter Enderby]

I like this article I found via google news, about the use of
artificial intelligence in Second Life. An avatar called Edd has been
created that is now controlled by artificial intelligence and has the
capacity of about a 4 year old human the article claims. This is the
interesting bit:

" Bringsjord adds that Edd could be a forerunner to more sophisticated
avatar creations that could interact with people inside virtual worlds
either like Second Life, or those created in the future to train
people - for example - virtual worlds mimicking tube stations to help
emergency staff train. "

This all comes on the back of a ground swell of interest in the
obvious suitability of Second Life in a training environment
especially in the university sector, where the virtual presentation of
information that usually happens in lecture rooms can just as
effectively be reproduced in world. Nothing much is lost in the
process either, participants can still socialise, go to the pub
instead of lectures, pursue their romantic interests, go to the beach
and go surfing. The same choices that all adult learners make daily.

http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/news/news.phtml/14741/15765/Second-Life-avatar-taught-think.phtml

Interesting also is the news that a French executive recruitment
company is using Second Life to recruit real life executives, the
logic being their 'in world' skills are a good indicator of the
candidates real life interests and skill.

http://www.webinfrance.com/executive-recruitment-in-france-arrives-second-life-virtual-world-attracts-more-real-businesses-609.html


Included below is a link discussing some Australian Universities using
Second Life.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/web/second-life-provides-virtual-classrooms/2008/05/22/1211182988582.html