MineRL sample-efficient reinforcement learning challenge—back for a second year—benefits organizers, as well as larger research community
To unearth a diamond in the block-based open world of Minecraft requires the acquisition of materials and the construction of tools before any diamond mining can even begin. Players need to gather wood, which they’ll use to make a wood pickaxe for mining stone underground. They’ll use the stone to fashion a stone pickaxe and, with the tool upgrade, mine iron ore. They’ll build a furnace for smelting the iron and use that to make the iron pickaxe they need to start their search for the precious gem. Each task results in a stronger tool and brings players closer to retrieving that coveted diamond. The efforts to organize competitions designed to advance the state of the art feel quite similar. In fact, the research process in general feels quite similar. As you gain more knowledge and experience, forge new and deeper collaborations, and leverage and improve resources—collectively, stronger tools—uncovering a gem