# Microsoft researcher builds a working neural network out of goats in Age of Empires II to critique AI science

> 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: 2026-06-17 18:43:47+00:00

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.

The 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).