Game of Thrones: Students Use AI to Predict all Season 8 Deaths

Game of Thrones, the acclaimed HBO series, is famous for its devastating (and sometimes satisfying) deaths. Aside from shocking the viewers, the disturbing killings also make the show unpredictable.

For this reason and more, Game of Thrones has enjoyed a broad audience for the past nine years.

Now, students at the Technical University of Munich have developed an algorithm to take the mystery away. With the new application, we now know which character has the best chance of claiming the coveted Iron Throne.

Hint: it’s not Sansa.

How TV Can Push Science Forward

It all started back in 2016. Before the airing of season six, computer science students at the Technical University of Munich developed an algorithm that accurately predicted Jon Snow’s resurrection.

Before the curtain closes on the most popular TV series of all time, the students decided to develop another algorithm. This time, they’re focusing on the survival chances of each of the characters on Game of Thrones.

According to the algorithm, Daenerys Targaryen has the highest chance – 99 percent – of surviving the current season. With 97 percent, Tyrion Lannister also has a promising survival rate.

The complete list of GOT characters and their survival chances is available online at https://got.show.

How the Algorithm Prediction Works

The characters’ survival rate is calculated using longevity analysis – similar to what scientists use to examine the effect of treatment and complications on cancer patients.

An in-depth look revealed that the algorithm’s predictions are based on factors such as gender, the character’s house, marital status, etc.

For example, since Sansa Stark was born in Winterfell into the House Stark, and she has only been married once, her chances of dying in the current season are 73 percent.

Every semester, the Technical University of Munich’s computer science department holds a JavaScript seminar, which includes the survival chances algorithm. During the course, the students learn how to design and develop as well as deploy intelligent computer systems.

According to the lead metro of the class, Dr. Guy Yachdav:

“While the task of predicting survival chances for Game of Thrones characters relies on data taken from the world of fantasy, the same artificial intelligence techniques are used in the real world and are having a powerful impact on our everyday lives.”