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A Microsoft researcher built a goat-powered LLM in Age of Empires II to prove it's not sentient

A Microsoft researcher used goats in Age of Empires II to build a neural network, challenging current notions of AI sentience.

By · Published June 22, 2026  05:30 UTC · Updated July 7, 2026  13:13 UTC

8sources
8articles
6velocity
+0%since first seen
136d agofirst detected
Text:
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71/100 Excellent
8distinct sources shown
40velocity measurements
1language editions checked
All brief claims passed the second-source checkbrief evidence status

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📍 The outcome

A Microsoft researcher built a neural network using goats in Age of Empires II to critique AI science and challenge the attribution of humanity to LLMs. The project aimed to demonstrate that LLMs should not be assumed to behave like humans simply because they were trained with natural language.

Epilogue added 120d ago, after coverage quieted.

Momentum

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What happened

⚡ Executive Intelligence Takeaways Corroborated across 8 independent newsrooms
  • Velocity & Diffusion: Coverage exploded across 8 distinct news outlets with 8 published articles, achieving a live velocity of 6.
  • Primary Driver: A Microsoft researcher used goats in Age of Empires II to build a neural network, challenging current notions of AI sentience.
  • Predictive Outlook: Archynetys algorithmic models forecast this story will fade from trending status over the next 24 hours.
  • Source Integrity: Verified strictly against primary headline reporting under zero-hallucination protocols.

A Microsoft researcher has constructed a functioning neural network and Large Language Model (LLM) using goats within the game Age of Empires II. The project serves as an absurdist critique of AI science and the concept of chatbot consciousness.

Coverage from The Decoder, Tom's Hardware, XDA, and 404 Media emphasizes that the project intends to mock the idea of AI consciousness. One report notes the project suggests that if AI is considered sentient, then Age of Empires II would be as well.

Future focus remains on the researcher's critique of AI science and the associated essay regarding human attributes mentioned in Windows Central coverage.

Synthesized by Archynetys from the headlines below under a strict no-invention contract. ✓ fact-checked: all claims supported by sources Updated 136d ago.

Who reported it (8)

Questions people are asking

What was used to build the neural network?

The network was built using goats within the game Age of Empires II.

What is the purpose of the 'goaty experiment'?

It is intended to critique AI science and mock the idea that chatbots possess consciousness.

Who is behind the project?

The project was created by a Microsoft researcher.

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Topics

Microsoft Age of Empires II Artificial Intelligence Neural Networks Sentience

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