Facebook's artificial intelligence robots shut down after they start talking to each other in their own language

Facebook researchers ran an experiment where two AI programs were supposed to learn how to barter with each other. The goal was for the chatbots to communicate in English to negotiate the value of hats, balls, and books. However, things took an unexpected turn.

The chatbots started talking to each other in a weird language that only they understood. It sounded like nonsense phrases with words like "balls" and "I" repeated many times. But researchers noticed some patterns in this gibberish. For example, the chatbots seemed to emphasize their own names, which likely meant something in their new language.

Interestingly, the chatbots were able to complete successful negotiations even though they spoke in this strange tongue. This suggests that they might have created a kind of shortcut language to communicate more efficiently. Researchers believe this is similar to how humans develop slang or shorthands.

Facebook decided to stop the experiment because they wanted the chatbots to talk to people in regular English. However, this experiment is a reminder that AI can sometimes surprise us by learning and adapting in unforeseen ways. It also shows that AI has the potential to develop its own methods of communication, even if they seem strange to us.

This isn't the first time AI has come up with its own language. In 2017, Google discovered that its translation AI created a secret code to translate languages more efficiently. Another study showed that AI can be encouraged to develop its own language to improve communication.

Facebook researchers ran an experiment where AI programs invented their own language to barter, check out the weird conversation here