Microsoft Develops Algorithm to "Divide and Conquer" Ms. Pac-Man

Researchers at Microsoft developed an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm that can achieve the maximum score on Ms. Pac-Man, 999,999, four times greater than the highest human score. After recovering from your wave of relief at the news that we've solved the Ms. Pac-Man problem, you might wonder why our greatest minds were spending their days chasing that particular goal. As it turns out, this accomplishment is significant because the "divide-and-conquer" method used can be applied to teach AI agents to complete other complex tasks. The system, according to Microsoft's blog, was developed by a Maluuba, a deep learning startup company which was acquired by Microsoft earlier in the year. The divide-and-conquer method assigns individual AI agents different tasks but also allows them to work together collaboratively through a "top manager."