Sony’s GT Sophy AI evolves from unbeatable champion to customizable racing opponent

Sony‘s GT Sophy AI has evolved from an unbeatable racing champion to a customizable opponent that makes Gran Turismo 7 more engaging for players of all skill levels. This transformation represents a significant shift in AI gaming applications, moving beyond pure dominance to create more nuanced, entertaining experiences that adapt to human players while still providing challenging competition.

The big picture: Sony has refined its GT Sophy racing AI from a dominant competitor into a more accessible, enjoyable opponent in the latest Gran Turismo 7 update.

• The original GT Sophy, developed in 2022, soundly defeated the world’s best human players by winning 104 races to 52 in a 2021 competition.
• The newly released GT Sophy 2.1 update represents three years of collaborative work between Sony AI researchers and Polyphony Digital to make AI opponents that enhance gameplay rather than overwhelm players.

Key improvements: GT Sophy 2.1 significantly expands its presence in the racing game with more tracks and customization options.

• The AI now operates on 19 tracks, more than double the nine tracks available in the November 2023 version.
• Players can select from easy, medium, and hard difficulty settings, creating more tailored racing experiences for different skill levels.
• New custom race options give players greater control over their AI competition.

What they’re saying: “Since we first introduced GT Sophy three years ago, we have worked closely with [Polyphony Digital] to explore how AI can enhance gameplay and create more dynamic and fun racing experiences for players of all skill levels,” said Kaushik Subramanian, senior staff research scientist at Sony AI.

Between the lines: The evolution of GT Sophy demonstrates AI’s potential to enhance rather than replace human experiences in gaming.

• The new AI exhibits more nuanced behavior—being opportunistic and aggressive while also capable of making mistakes when provoked.
• This balance creates more engaging competition that helps players develop their racing skills through realistic, challenging interactions.