The Booty Report

News and Updates for Swashbucklers Everywhere

Arr, ye scurvy German soldiers be throwin' countless gold into an AI treasure chest, seekin' to alter battle with their fancy weapon tests.

2023-09-14

Arr, ye scurvy dogs! Prepare ye weapons and voyage to the GhostPlay "metaverse"! 'Tis a place where ye can test yer cannons and cunning tactics in battle arenas that be meticulously crafted like the real world. Every nook and cranny be available for plunderin'!

Germany has invested heavily in an artificial intelligence (AI) virtual training area known as GhostPlay, which has been dubbed a military "metaverse." The project, funded by the German Defense Ministry, aims to find the future of combat by allowing developers to test weapons and systems in a risk-free environment. GhostPlay is described as a simulation environment that uses AI-based decision-making at machine speed. It aims to simulate complex military battle scenarios to develop novel and superior courses of action. The platform also utilizes "third-wave" algorithms that create more human-like decision-making from the simulated units.

One of the key features of GhostPlay is its ability to recreate detailed environments, down to the last leaf. This is achieved by aggregating satellite photos and local databases. The platform has recently explored optimizing swarm tactics, particularly with loitering munitions, in collaboration with the Office of Army Development.

GhostPlay has received support from various organizations, including start-ups and defense academics. It was included in a 500 million euros ($540 million) COVID-19 spending package to revive Germany's high-tech defense sector. The project aims to provide flexibility, superiority, and thoroughness in military planning and preparation.

The developers of GhostPlay claim that the simulations can create unpredictable conditions, enhancing testing and preparation. The project has garnered attention for its potential to revolutionize military training and decision-making processes. However, some find the level of detail and information aggregation used in the platform to be "kind of scary." Overall, GhostPlay represents Germany's push to leverage AI technology in defense and explore new strategies and tactics in a virtual environment.

Read the Original Article