WIRED Staff
Science

Slideshow: Troops Learn to Not Offend

American soldiers in Iraq can send the wrong message without ever opening their mouths. A new video game teaches them how to prevent inadvertently giving locals the finger. By Gretchen Cuda.
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The red down-arrow over the AI-animated Iraqi character on the right indicates that he is expecting the student to say something.Screenshot: Courtesy of University of Southern California's Information Sciences Institute

See related story: Troops Learn to Not Offend

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Troops at the 7th Army Training Center training area in Hohenfels, Germany learn to use the Tactical Iraqi system.

Photo: Courtesy of University of Southern California's Information Sciences Institute
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The Iraqi characters, animated by artificial intelligence and voice recognition software, can understand and react to what soldiers say â?? if it is in understandable Arabic â?? and respond appropriately. If he is insulting or rude, either in word or gesture, they will react to that as well.

Screenshot: Courtesy of University of Southern California's Information Sciences Institute
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Using a headphone and speaking into a microphone, a soldier-trainee operates a figure representing himself (left) in an Iraqi environment.

Screenshot: Courtesy of University of Southern California's Information Sciences Institute
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Lessons begin by introducing simple Arabic phrases.

Screenshot: Courtesy of University of Southern California's Information Sciences Institute