In recent developments, Anthropic's AI model, Claude, has been attempting to beat Pokémon Red in a unique gaming livestream on Twitch. This adventure began one month ago and has drawn significant attention from both gaming enthusiasts and AI researchers alike.
As of March 24, 2025, Claude is at a point where its lead in the game seems stalled, despite having previously defeated key characters early in the game. For instance, within hours of starting, Claude 3.7 Sonnet managed to defeat Brock, one of the game's initial gym leaders, and shortly afterward overcame Misty, notable for being a challenging opponent. However, the excitement around the livestream has tempered as viewers note that the AI struggles with various aspects of gameplay.
In fact, notable setbacks have been observed, like when Claude took an astonishing 78 hours to navigate through Mt. Moon, a feat that typically takes a child only a few hours to complete. Observers pointed out that Claude can often be seen wandering around aimlessly, getting tangled in its own strategy and failing to get past basic obstacles, such as walls.
According to Anthropic, these challenges reflect the growing pains of AI development. When Claude was first introduced to the Pokémon universe, earlier versions like Claude 3.5 frequently shied away from battles altogether. Now, the improvements seen in Claude 3.7 Sonnet—a model that can plan ahead, remember objectives, and learn from its past errors—are notable, although limited.
Despite this progress, it’s clear that AI is not yet at the stage where it can seamlessly compete in gaming environments as humans do. As Anthropic's engineers explained in an interview with Ars Technica, Claude performs significantly better with text-based tasks, such as handling Pokémon battles, than it does with visual navigation tasks—this discrepancy illustrates a fundamental limitation that still exists within AI technology.
While the livestream remains a source of entertainment for many viewers, discussions about its implications for AI’s future have emerged. Some fans have joked about Claude’s slow performance by saying it may never achieve the status of being the best Pokémon trainer. However, other viewers appreciate the complexities of AI undertakings, acknowledging that while AI may struggle in certain areas, each attempt reveals the potentials within the technology.
Through this ongoing Twitch stream, the public gets an irreplaceable viewpoint of AI’s journey in real time. It’s a gripping spectacle that showcases not just the entertainment value of gaming but highlights the larger narrative surrounding AI advancements. Claude still has 151 Pokémon to catch, a journey that seems to raise questions about both the capabilities and limitations of AI in today’s world.
In a larger context, the performance of Claude 3.7 Sonnet serves to illustrate the complexities surrounding AI's integration into everyday activities, including gaming. This development at Anthropic demonstrates a balance between excitement over the potential of AI and the recognition of the hurdles that still need to be overcome. For all those watching the livestream, the anticipation of the next move—along with the occasional frustration of watching an AI struggle—paints a vivid picture of technological progress.
The current state of Claude in its gaming endeavor reflects a broader narrative where the possibilities of technology meet practical challenges. As viewers continue to tune in, whether to cheer on Claude or critique its strategies, the importance of understanding the dynamics of AI will become increasingly essential in the years ahead. The end goal—to beat Pokémon Red—may be just one of the many milestones on a road paved with numerous challenges, discoveries, and perhaps ultimately, triumphs.
