This Week in AI: Artificial Intelligence Comes to Gaming

We've all been there: That moment when you hit a seemingly insurmountable challenge in a video game and just don't know what to do. For some of us, it's that nail-biting last chance guess on Wordle. For others, it's the Owl on Candy Crush or maybe Margit on Elden Ring.

Microsoft says it might have an answer, and regular readers of this column know what it is: Artificial intelligence. In this case, "Copilot for Gaming."

To Microsoft's credit, this sounds like it could be legitimately fun. The idea is that while you're playing a game using Xbox's technology, you can ask Copilot AI for help creating something in Minecraft, picking a good character, or beating that boss you just can't figure out. Think of it like GameFAQs for the AI crowd -- and with less ASCII art.

Now, gamers everywhere can look forward to endlessly debating about whether it's cheating to use an AI in a video game. (I say as long as you're having fun and not hurting anyone, great! Also, I only learned the Zelda top-hat maneuver because of a guide in Nintendo Power.)

It's the second piece of interesting Xbox news recently, after reports of an Xbox-themed handheld (code-name Project Kennan) to be manufactured by Asus (and followed by other PC makers) that might land in time for the holiday 2025 season. The system could use Microsoft's Project Bayside software framework, which could act as a unified framework for the Xbox user interface on different devices. 

AI to predict dementia

Researchers at Boston's Mass General Brigham have developed an AI tool that analyzes brainwave activity to predict when someone might begin showing signs of cognitive decline from dementia or Alzheimer's. The study's author, Shahab Haghayegh, said the information gleaned from the tool could offer "a window of opportunity for intervention years before symptoms appear."

Considering some studies show one in 10 older Americans has some form of dementia, this technology could provide real and lasting help.

AI isn't just helping with dementia research though. Medical experts have also been able to show AI can improve cancer detection, help clinical staff make better triage decisions and even reduce medical errors.

Government chatbots are coming 

As the Trump Administration continues laying off workers throughout the US federal government, one concern that's frequently raised is whether people seeking essential services will struggle to get help. Now, it appears the administration is testing a chatbot to automate work previously done by people.

As Wired and the Atlantic reported, the technology was initially created under the Biden Administration as a testing ground, but its development has now been accelerated. So far, it performs "about as good as an intern," according to one of Wired's sources who'd used it, adding that it offers “generic and guessable answers.”

Gemini AI upgrades with data about you

Google's Gemini chatbot is getting a new function that will allow you to "connect" it with your Google Search history. The move would help Gemini "understand you and your interests," according to some of Google's documentation, giving it better answers for questions like "what would you suggest I learn as a new hobby?"

Of course, Google search histories can uncover a deeply fascinating window into the way we think and act.

Airbnb AI

One of the first demonstrations of AI's power that started grabbing people's attention was when companies like Microsoft showed how the technology could be used to help plan a vacation. Now, Airbnb is taking it a step further, creating a "concierge in your pocket" through its travel app. And just like Google's Gemini upgrade, the AI will make recommendations based on your profile history and preferences.

“You should be able to plan and execute the most seamless trip — from how you’re getting there, where you’re staying, what you’re doing, where you’re eating — end to end," said Airbnb’s Dave Stephenson when announcing the product. "And if you ever have a problem, it’s right there for you … to take the challenge and stress of travel out.”

Read more: AI Tools and Tips 

• DeepSeek's New AI Challenges ChatGPT — and You Can Run It on Your PC
• How To Improve Your AI Chatbot Prompts
• How I Turned Myself into an AI Video Clone for Under $50
• What is Meta AI? A Capable Chatbot That’s 100% Free
• Hands-on with ChatGPT o1-preview, OpenAI's Latest Innovation
• How to Get Started with Copilot for Microsoft 365
• Getting started with LM Studio: A Beginner's Guide
• Meet Claude, the Best AI You've Never Heard of

Ian Sherr is a widely published journalist who's covered nearly every major tech company from Apple to Netflix, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and more for CBS News, The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, and CNET. Aside from writing, he tinkers with tech at home, is a longtime fencer -- the kind with swords -- and began woodworking during the pandemic.