Microsoft has created an exciting AI that can play Minecraft using only natural language text commands. The AI was shown off to Microsoft employees and was created using different technology from the one used for the new Bing chat, which ChatGPT developed.

According to insider information from Semafor, the Minecraft-playing AI is currently just an experiment and is not planned to be available to the public anytime soon. This is not surprising, given that past language or voice control experiments in gaming have usually been disappointing.

However, the idea that an AI can understand and implement commands like “build a house” or “cut down a tree” in Minecraft is quite impressive. Microsoft had previously announced their intentions to work on this kind of project back in May of last year, and it seems like they have made some progress towards that goal.

Kotaku had an interesting suggestion for the future use of the Minecraft-playing AI: as an accessibility option for those who cannot use traditional input devices like keyboards and mice. Despite advances in control technology for those individuals, such equipment can still be expensive or unattainable. This new natural-language system could provide a new way for more people to enjoy gaming.

It’s noteworthy that Microsoft is not the only company using Minecraft to teach AI. OpenAI worked on a similar project last year, and in 2016, another company used the game for AI research. It seems that Minecraft is a popular choice for this type of experimentation.