What is the problem being addressed?

In the realm of educational technologies, especially those designed to teach programming through interactive means like video games, there's a notable gap in resources specifically aimed at teaching artificial intelligence (AI) programming. While platforms like Scratch and Code.org have been revolutionary in making coding accessible and engaging for K-12 students, they primarily focus on general coding skills. As AI becomes increasingly integral across various sectors, the need to incorporate AI education into early learning is becoming urgent. Students today require tools that not only teach them how to code but also how to effectively program and understand AI behaviors. This not only enhances their skillset but also prepares them for future careers where AI will be prevalent.

What is your project idea and how will it work?

Craft AI is designed as a pioneering educational tool that combines the thrill of video gaming with the complexities of AI programming. The core of Craft AI is a 2D top-down dungeon crawler game where students program their AI to navigate and combat in a dynamic environment. The project is composed of three primary components:

1. Monogame Application (Visual Analysis Tool): This serves as the graphical front-end where users can interact with the game. It provides real-time visualization of the game but does not process the game logic itself. This separation ensures that users can observe and analyze AI behavior without impacting game performance.
2. Game Engine: Developed in F# and hosted on a backend REST API, the game engine handles all game logic and state management. This backend allows for interactions between the game environment and the user-programmed AIs through well-defined API calls. This setup enables students to write AI in any programming language that supports HTTP communication, fostering versatility and accessibility.
3. REST API Server: The communication hub for the game engine and user AIs. It facilitates the fetching of environment data and posting of AI actions, allowing the AI to interact seamlessly with the game world. Comprehensive documentation and examples will be provided to guide users on how to utilize these APIs effectively.

In addition to these technical components, Craft AI will feature a robust web platform to download the game and server executables, access API documentation, and explore various AI programming examples. This platform will also support a range of AI challenges, from pathfinding to dueling, designed to cater to different skill levels and educational goals.

To make the platform visually engaging and educational, it will include a feature to display the game as it is played, review the history of games, and provide tools for saving and analyzing game outcomes. This not only aids in debugging and learning but also enhances the user experience by making the learning process interactive and enjoyable.

By integrating game-based learning with AI programming, Craft AI aims to bridge the educational gap, providing a fun and effective platform for students to learn and experiment with AI. This initiative will not only foster a deeper understanding of AI concepts among young learners but also equip them with the skills necessary to thrive in a technologically advanced future.