{"slug": "microsoft-researcher-builds-a-working-neural-network-out-of-goats-in-age-of-ii", "title": "Microsoft researcher builds a working neural network out of goats in Age of Empires II to critique AI science", "summary": "A Microsoft researcher built a neural network using goats, bridges, and ice ramps in Age of Empires II to critique AI research methods. His analysis of 315 papers found over half already assume language models have human-like traits before experiments begin.", "body_md": "A Microsoft researcher built a working neural network out of goats, bridges, and ice ramps in the Age of Empires II map editor. What looks like a joke is a pointed critique of AI research methods. His analysis of 315 papers found that more than half already assume language models have human-like traits before the experiment even starts. Replace the chat interface with wandering goats, and the math doesn't change, but the feeling that you're talking to someone does.\n\nThe article [Microsoft researcher builds a working neural network out of goats in Age of Empires II to critique AI science](https://the-decoder.com/microsoft-researcher-builds-a-working-neural-network-out-of-goats-in-age-of-empires-ii-to-critique-ai-science/) appeared first on [The Decoder](https://the-decoder.com).", "url": "https://wpnews.pro/news/microsoft-researcher-builds-a-working-neural-network-out-of-goats-in-age-of-ii", "canonical_source": "https://the-decoder.com/microsoft-researcher-builds-a-working-neural-network-out-of-goats-in-age-of-empires-ii-to-critique-ai-science/", "published_at": "2026-06-17 18:43:47+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-06-17 18:56:44.464077+00:00", "lang": "en", "topics": ["artificial-intelligence", "neural-networks", "ai-research", "ai-ethics", "large-language-models"], "entities": ["Microsoft", "Age of Empires II"], "alternates": {"html": "https://wpnews.pro/news/microsoft-researcher-builds-a-working-neural-network-out-of-goats-in-age-of-ii", "markdown": "https://wpnews.pro/news/microsoft-researcher-builds-a-working-neural-network-out-of-goats-in-age-of-ii.md", "text": "https://wpnews.pro/news/microsoft-researcher-builds-a-working-neural-network-out-of-goats-in-age-of-ii.txt", "jsonld": "https://wpnews.pro/news/microsoft-researcher-builds-a-working-neural-network-out-of-goats-in-age-of-ii.jsonld"}}