Researchers at the University of Tubingen in Germany are giving Mario the ability to learn on his own.
The project, called "Mario Lives!," uses cognitive modeling to allow the video game icon to answer simple questions, perform tasks and learn things based on what he observes, according to IGN Africa. This technology allows Mario to be aware of his surroundings and able to make choices based on his curiosity, hunger, happiness and fear.
The research team put together a video that shows Mario being asked what he knows about Goombas and answering "I do not know anything about it." He also responds to demands to kill Goombas with "Okay, I'll look for an enemy," before looking for a Goomba on his own and jumping on one.
Mario will also remember what happens when he performs certain actions, IGN Africa reported. He will also provide a different answer to questions after accomplishing tasks like killing Goombas, such as "If I jump on a Goomba, then maybe it dies," or "If I jump on Goomba, it certainly dies."
Fabian Schrodt, one of the researchers behind "Mario Lives!," said the artificial intelligence works just as well as a regular video game component, adding that the most interesting parts of the project are the AI's ability to adapt and the addition of principles of psychology, The Verge reported.
Schrodt added that the team has a follow-up project planned for Mario that will also feature Luigi. The goal is to give the two characters computer-synthesized voices so that they can talk to each other and share collected information and teach each other along the way.
"Mario Lives!" will be one of several entries in the People's Choice Award for the AI Video Competition, IGN Africa reported. Competitors include a robot that helps kids learn to write, a self-driving golf cart and an AI for aging.
Watch Mario in action in "Mario Lives! An Adaptive Learning AI Approach for Generating a Living and Conversing Mario Agent" here.
