A simple demonstration of machine learning to let a child train a computer to play Top Trumps
I’ve been talking for a while now about how we introduce the idea behind machine learning to school kids. I’ve given several talks about it but I’ve also tried out a couple of approaches to it.
Now I’m trying out another: training a machine learning bot how to play Top Trumps.
I’ve put a demo at toptrumps.eu-gb.mybluemix.net.
What is this?
It’s basically Top Trumps: that card game I used to play as a kid where you choose one of the attributes on a card, and if it beats the other player you get their card. Except it’s online, and you’re playing against a computer.
But the computer hasn’t been given any strategies on how to play, and has to learn from the player.
Initially, it makes random choices, but it learns from playing against the player. The more turns it plays, the more training it gets, which it uses to make predictions of which choice would give it the best chance of winning. (more…)