Google takes a minority stake in EVE Online maker, DeepMind training partnership (www.rockpapershotgun.com)

Google has acquired a minority stake in Fenris Creations, the developer of the acclaimed MMO EVE Online, and established a research partnership with Google DeepMind. This collaboration aims to utilize EVE Online's complex, dynamic systems to improve AI models in areas like long-horizon planning, memory, and continual learning. The partnership will leverage an offline version of the game on a local server to test and evaluate models, while also exploring innovative gameplay experiences driven by AI advancements. This strategic move follows Fenris's independence from Pearl Abyss, marking a return to their foundational operational style and retaining the leadership that has long guided the EVE universe. The significance of this partnership lies in its potential to advance AI research within realistic, engaging environments, paving the way for breakthroughs similar to those seen in previous Google DeepMind projects like AlphaGo and AlphaStar. Fenris's leadership, led by Hilmar Veigar Pétursson, emphasizes a commitment to evolving EVE Online as both a living universe and a testing ground for cutting-edge AI technologies. This initiative not only reinforces Google DeepMind's position in the AI space but also underscores ongoing concerns among its employees regarding the ethical implications of AI applications, particularly in military contexts.