Need to go to work, but don’t want to pause your video game?

As reported by Video Games Chronicle , Sony Interactive Entertainment recently filed a patent application for an artificial intelligence (“AI”) system that will monitor real-life players for the purpose of creating an AI character, which the player can then direct to play in his or her stead.

The patent application describes the technology as “Automated Artificial Intelligence (AI) Control Mode For Playing Specific Tasks During Gaming Application”. As set out in greater detail in the patent, the system studies a gamer’s playing style and applies it to an AI profile.

The player would then have the option to assign the AI profile to take over playing the game, such that the player could, for example, have their AI profile complete more mundane tasks in the game without the player having to be actively involved.

Sony’s AI technology may be especially helpful in multiplayer games since all players will not necessarily have to end the game when one player needs to leave.