Bi SasquatchAs someone who wants to work in assistive technology, I find the potential of AI working with assistive tech interesting, though with a lot of caution. I am sure if this AI assistant were to be implemented on Xbox there would be some abuse, then again, a lot of disabled and elderly people might welcome the assistance.
Windows Central - March 3, 2026:
"Following Microsoft's recent announcement that Xbox head Phil Spencer is retiring and the company's CoreAI Product president Asha Sharma is stepping up to fill the role of Microsoft Gaming CEO, a patent the firm filed that describes helpers — human or AI — stepping in to assist players when they get stuck on difficult in-game challenges has rapidly become the target of public scrutiny.
"Some have run with the idea that this represents the start of aggressive AI expansion into the Xbox gaming experience on consoles and PC by Sharma. Something that needs to be understood, however, is that this patent was filed by Microsoft in 2024, long before Sharma entered her new position.
"The "State management for video game help sessions" patent itself describes a process in which a system recognizes when you're struggling with a particular game segment, encounter, or puzzle, and offers you a choice to connect with a helper. If you accept it, the system saves your game and a helper briefly takes control of the game over the cloud and completes what you're stuck on for you, explaining how they did so over text chat.
"Notably, the patented system includes the option for players to immediately get control of the game back from a helper at any time if they want it. It also mentions machine learning that determines when assistance should be offered and how long it lasts, which would hopefully ensure the system doesn't feel intrusive."
#Xbox #GamingNews #Microsoft #VideoGames #GamingAccessibility #InclusiveGaming #AI #MicrosoftAI #TechEthics #AssistiveTech #Accessibility #Disabled #Elderly
Jecture
House of Games
Calamity Jess
