A closer look at the Google AI that's mastering StarCraft II

You'd be forgiven for assuming that DeepMind's artificial intelligence technology has already proven its chops. Back in 2016 the celebrated computer lab watched one of its AI programs do the unthinkable and win a game of Go against then world champion – and human being – Lee Sedol. Mastering the ancient Chinese board game was just one example of the machine learning DeepMind is hoping it can ultimately use to revolutionise sectors like science, healthcare, and energy. For the next step on that journey, DeepMind has turned its attention to StarCraft II. The seven-year-old RTS may still be an esports sensation, but it's not an obvious step up from Go.