ARTIFICIAL LIFE CONTEST - A Tool for Informal Teaching of Artificial Intelligence

Diego Milone, Georgina Stegmayer, Daniel Beber

2009

Abstract

This work reports an experience in using an Artificial Life competitive game that simulates an artificial life environment for unstructured and informal Artificial Intelligence (AI) teaching to students from computer science engineering careers. The game consists of a simulated Petri dish where two colonies of microorganisms –software agents– must struggle to survive. To achieve this goal, the participants must implement surviving strategies for their agents, which include fighting strategies and basic reproduction rules to prevail over all the artificial environment. The technical bases of the contest as well as a description of the artificial life model are explained in detail. The pedagogical experience acquired in the contest development is discussed, as well as the resulting learning experience, which generated students enthusiasm and has helped them to develop mental models of possible AI algorithms.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Milone D., Stegmayer G. and Beber D. (2009). ARTIFICIAL LIFE CONTEST - A Tool for Informal Teaching of Artificial Intelligence . In Proceedings of the First International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 1: CSEDU, ISBN 978-989-8111-82-1, pages 119-124. DOI: 10.5220/0001979001190124

in Bibtex Style

@conference{csedu09,
author={Diego Milone and Georgina Stegmayer and Daniel Beber},
title={ARTIFICIAL LIFE CONTEST - A Tool for Informal Teaching of Artificial Intelligence},
booktitle={Proceedings of the First International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 1: CSEDU,},
year={2009},
pages={119-124},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0001979001190124},
isbn={978-989-8111-82-1},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF
JO - Proceedings of the First International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 1: CSEDU,
TI - ARTIFICIAL LIFE CONTEST - A Tool for Informal Teaching of Artificial Intelligence
SN - 978-989-8111-82-1
AU - Milone D.
AU - Stegmayer G.
AU - Beber D.
PY - 2009
SP - 119
EP - 124
DO - 10.5220/0001979001190124