Microsoft is using Minecraft to develop artificial intelligence tech for the real world

Yet more proof that Minecraft is more than just a game comes our way today. Microsoft already has plans to use the platform, which it bought for 2.5 billion, to help kids learn and for virtual reality, and now we can add artificial intelligence development to that list, too. Today, Microsoft announced a project that enables artificial intelligence researchers to tap into the hit title to sculpt and develop their tech. AIX is a new software development platform that researchers can use to develop'agents' -- AI-powered characters -- which roam Minecraft worlds. The idea is to equip them with the smarts to behave like a regular player.