Claude 3.7 Sonnet, an advanced AI model, recently embarked on an intriguing journey through the classic Pokémon Red game, broadcasted live on Twitch. Anthropic, the company behind the AI's development, hosted the stream as a live experiment to demonstrate the potential of contemporary AI technology. Over a thousand viewers tuned in to witness this fascinating exploration, which highlighted both the strengths and limitations of AI in navigating video game environments.
The experiment was not without its challenges. Claude 3.7 Sonnet spent over 50,000 hours playing Pokémon Red before it could effectively navigate the game. Initially, the AI model seemed more captivated by the pixelated scenery than by progressing through the game. This leisurely pace tested the patience of some viewers, who expressed their frustration in the Twitch chat, suggesting that Claude should "chill."
One particular hurdle occurred when Claude repeatedly attempted to walk through a rock wall, only to be met with failure each time. Despite this setback, Claude eventually realized it could circumvent the obstacle. The AI model also experienced confusion when interacting with non-player characters (NPCs). It mistakenly engaged with an unfamiliar NPC instead of conversing again with Professor Oak, leading to further navigational errors.
"I notice a new character has appeared below me — a character with black hair and what appears to be a white coat at coordinates (2, 10),"
The stream served as a benchmark for assessing Claude 3.7 Sonnet's reasoning capabilities. Despite its initial struggles, the AI model achieved significant milestones by winning three gym leader badges. This achievement marked a notable success in testing Claude's ability to adapt and strategize within the game's environment.
Anthropic's decision to use Pokémon Red as a testing ground is part of a broader trend among AI researchers who employ video games to evaluate new models. Games like Street Fighter and Pictionary have been used previously for similar purposes, providing insights into how AI can comprehend and interact with complex systems.
The live stream also drew comparisons to the original "Twitch Plays Pokémon" experiment in 2014, where millions of users collectively played the game online. While Claude's solo endeavor did not reach such massive participation levels, it offered a unique perspective on AI's evolving capabilities.
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