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AI is Already Resulting in Games Industry Job Losses, Report Claims

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AI is Already Resulting in Games Industry Job Losses, Report Claims

As a long-time gamer and industry observer with a deep appreciation for the art and craft behind video games, I find the reports of AI taking jobs at major studios like Activision deeply concerning. The idea that artificial intelligence is being used to replace human creatives in the field is not only disheartening but also feels like a betrayal of the very essence of what makes gaming great – the passion and dedication of talented individuals who bring games to life.

 It’s thought that if used judiciously, AI can be a useful game development tool, but it seems that the use of artificial intelligence is already having a more insidious impact (as many have legitimately feared), with jobs being axed at Call of Duty maker Activision in favour of AI.

According to an exposé in Wired, the magazine reports that jobs are being lost to AI technology, coming at a price for affected humans. In simpler terms, instead of humans, tasks are now being handled by artificial intelligence, leading to job losses.

In the video game industry, which has recently experienced an alarming number of layoffs and studio shutdowns, executives look forward to integrating AI as a solution for enhancing productivity and creating content more rapidly. However, this development brings concern for creatives such as artists, writers, and designers, whose jobs may be negatively impacted.

Based on reports from internal emails, it appears that generative AI tools such as Midjourney and Stable Diffusion are being utilized to generate concept art. According to a seasoned AAA game developer and technical artist named Violet, this implies that AI has officially arrived in the industry – “the genie is out of the bottle.”

“This is where it exists, without a doubt, in the present moment, according to Violet as she spoke with Wired. I believe we all have witnessed its emergence, and now it’s up to us to decide how extensively we will use it. The genie has escaped its bottle, Pandora’s box has been opened.”

The report states that although AI isn’t currently being used to eliminate entire departments, it is being implemented to save time and increase output, as well as support studios after downsizing. According to Molly Warner, a former Overwatch Environment Artist, there’s widespread uneasiness among artists regarding AI-created visuals. “Nearly everyone I’m familiar with strongly disapproves of using AI for generating images.”

Previously, Bobby Kotick, the ex-CEO of Activision Blizzard, expressed his belief that artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including models like ChatGPT, could bring significant changes. However, he cautioned that the impact would be double-edged, with both advantages and disadvantages. Following this statement, Activision introduced an AI-generated cosmetic item for sale in “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.” As a result, some 2D artists and concept artists have been let go from their positions. The remaining team members are now required to utilize AI as a tool to enhance their work.

In the realm of copyright law, there’s uncertainty when it comes to infringement involving AI. Proving such infringement is no easy task. The gaming industry and artists naturally harbor apprehension towards AI, and the perceived devaluation of human art unfortunately makes AI an attractive alternative for executives.

None of the artists interviewed by Wired expressed a wish to incorporate AI into their art creations. However, they acknowledged that if AI was utilized as an assistant instead of a replacement for human artists, it could offer some advantages.

“Violet pointed out that AI isn’t inherently evil. The issue arises when its primary objective is to increase profits. However, AI holds great potential to tackle intricate issues and perform tasks disliked by people, contributing positively without causing job losses.”

As a passionate gamer, I’m always eager to learn more about the latest trends and advancements in the gaming industry. One intriguing topic that recently caught my attention is the increasing use of AI in game development and its potential impact on jobs. For a deeper dive into this subject, you can check out an engrossing report by Wired. In it, Brian Merchant shares captivating anecdotes from developers and valuable insights about AI taking over certain roles (Wired’s lengthy report here). Additionally, for even more perspectives and thoughts on his article, you can follow Brian Merchant on Twitter (@merchantwriter) to engage with him directly (on X/Twitter here).

Major video game studios are now utilizing AI technology for creating concept art and generating assets, leading to training requirements for gaming employees and eventual job losses. According to my investigation for Wired.

— Brian Merchant (@bcmerchant) July 23, 2024

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2024-07-23 19:12

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