NOTE: Original Artical can be found here:
http://intellectus.ryanjb.com/index.php/ethics/88-prog-prog/91-aidgc
Define artificial intelligence?
I define A.I. as a dumb system that is not to intelligent. In my experience in creating A.I., it has been my decision to implement the proper code into the development cycle. Then, when you ask the machine a question, it selects what the best option or answer is, that matches the criteria to full-fill the requirements of the asked question. If it were true Intelligence, it would not require a pre-programmed set of instruction. It would learn and use it's judgment to make the best decision.
Goals of AI in game context?
The overall goals are to satisfy the needs and demands of the sub-problems that are defined within the term of game context. Here's a quote for you, “Game AI is a vast panorama of specialized sub problems, including path-finding steering, flocking, unit deployment, tactical analysis, strategic planning, resource allocation, weapon handling, target selection, group coordination, simulated perception, situation analysis, spatial reasoning and context-dependent animation” (Rabin, 2002). That's a good list of game context. The goals of artificial life within the game are to satisfy those needs. Developers, programmers and everyone involved with the AI system of the game, need to implement or choose the proper amount of resources to implement within the game, to meet this criteria. Without meeting a vast criteria such as this, your customers will not experience good, entertaining A.I.
I'm a Gamer, I WANT good AI!
Gamers play games for entertainment. They want to be a part of the story, the character, play the character and experience everything the story has to offer. They want a challenge and expect realism within the games and the characters they encounter. Gamers demand good A.I. to bring these concepts to life. How do you know you are getting what you paid for? When you can see the challenge within the A.I. If your running around in some high speed first person shooter. You know you have decent A.I. When your opponent ducks, dodges, utilizes surrounding objects in the environment to dodge your bullets. Then jumps out from about the box he/she hid behind and starts shooting back at you. When the opponent can learn your moves, play style and remember it, then adjust to it and counter your recurring tactic. You have a good A.I. System.
References
Rabin, S. & Charles River Media. (2002). AI Game Programming Wisdom. Edited by Steve Rabin Charles River Media, Inc. Hingham, MA. ISBN -13: 9781584500773, ISBN-10: 1584500778