Researchers
working on artificial intelligence at Queen Mary University of London have
taught a computer to create magic tricks. The researchers gave a computer
program the outline of how a magic jigsaw puzzle and a mind reading card trick
work, as well the results of experiments into how humans understand magic
tricks, and the system created completely new variants on those tricks which
can be delivered by a magician. The magic tricks created were of the type that
use mathematical techniques rather than sleight of hand or other theatrics, and
are a core part of many magicians' repertoires.
The tricks, proved
popular with audiences and the magic puzzle was put on sale in a London magic
shop. The card trick is available as an app called Phoney in the Google Play
Store. Computer intelligence can process much larger amounts of information and
run through all the possible outcomes in a way that is almost impossible for a
person to do on their own. So while, a member of the audience might have seen a
variation on this trick before, the AI can now use psychological and
mathematical principles to create lots of different versions and keep audiences
guessing.
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