Artificial Intelligence
Ongoing coverage on Artificial Intelligence.
Latest coverage
Arc Raiders Now Has Fewer AI Voices, As Dev Re-Recorded Lines Amid Controversy
Embark Studios head Patrick Söderlund has confirmed that Arc Raiders now features fewer AI-generated voice lines after some were re-recorded with human actors following controversy. While the studio still uses AI for select purposes and as a production tool, Söderlund stated that professional actors provide a higher quality of performance.
Peacock Is The Next Streaming App That Wants You Playing Games On It
NBCUniversal's streaming service Peacock is integrating mobile games into its app, including titles like Law & Order: Clue Hunter and Public Eye developed by Wolf Games. A new Jeopardy mobile game is also slated for release this spring. This move follows Netflix's strategy of incorporating games into its streaming platform.
Gaming Copilot AI Assistant Is Coming To Current-Gen Xbox Consoles This Year
Microsoft announced that its AI-powered Gaming Copilot assistant will be available on current-generation Xbox consoles later this year. The assistant, already in beta for PC and mobile apps, provides in-game advice, game recommendations, and can answer questions based on player profiles. Microsoft is also exploring licensing content for the AI and has introduced an AI-driven highlight reel feature for select titles on the ASUS ROG Ally.
Games Inbox: Who will win out of PS6 vs. Project Helix?
Readers discuss the potential competition between the upcoming PlayStation 6 and Microsoft's Project Helix (likely the next Xbox console), with concerns raised about pricing, naming conventions, and the potential impact of simultaneous releases. Other topics include the effectiveness of game age ratings, the future of the Battlefield franchise, and the perceived arrogance of Microsoft's console strategy.
Gaming Copilot is Coming to Xbox Series X/S in 2026
Microsoft announced that its Gaming Copilot feature will be released for Xbox Series X/S consoles in 2026. The AI-powered assistant, currently in beta on Windows and mobile, offers game recommendations, in-game assistance, and personalized coaching. The feature is also available on handheld gaming PCs like the ASUS ROG Ally.
AI Yi-Yi!
The article touches on the development of AI for military applications, specifically humanoid soldiers, and mentions Google's potential for ads in its Gemini AI. It also notes the involvement of AMD, Broadcom, and Nvidia in related technologies.
It’s easy for me to say “AI bad”, but it’s more than that: it’s also changing online culture for the worse – GTOGG
This opinion piece argues that while AI offers exciting possibilities, its impact on creative fields and online culture is detrimental. The author contends that AI-generated content devalues human artistry, contributes to market oversaturation in gaming, and erodes critical thinking by fostering blind belief or paranoia. The article highlights concerns about deception and the blurring lines between real and artificial content, suggesting a need for transparency and caution.
Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen plans to step down after 18 years
Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen announced his plans to step down after 18 years leading the company, during which he transitioned Adobe to a software-as-a-service model. Narayen will remain on the board as chair after his successor is named. He reflected on the company's growth and the future impact of artificial intelligence on creativity.
MMO Business Roundup: Unionized game devs march through GDC, 2K Games mocap devs unionize
The game industry saw significant unionization news this week, with unionized developers marching at GDC to advocate for workers' rights, including protections against AI and crunch. Additionally, motion capture performers at 2K Games have formed a union, securing a contract with benefits and protections against AI likeness reproduction. NCsoft also released a trailer for its tactical shooter Defect.
Alexa+ can now swear, thanks to a new personality style
Amazon has introduced a new 'sassy' personality style for Alexa+, designed for adults, which includes occasional censored profanity. Activating this mode requires additional security checks and is not available if an Amazon Kids profile is active. This update adds to existing personality options like sweet, brief, and chill, aiming for more natural conversation.
Ukraine allows allies to train AI models on its battlefield data
Ukraine will share its extensive battlefield data with allies to train artificial intelligence models for drone technology. Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov stated this initiative aims to advance AI in warfare and develop autonomous systems for the front lines. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted the importance of technological competition and international cooperation in modern conflict.
New research shows over 90% of gamers find playing with AI-powered NPCs to be "enjoyable and rewarding"
New research from the University of Bristol and developer Meaning Machine indicates that over 90% of gamers find playing with AI-powered NPCs to be enjoyable and rewarding. The study, which involved participants playing the murder mystery game Dead Meat, found that 95% of players enjoyed the experience and 97% found it rewarding, with 75% feeling they could express themselves or make meaningful choices. Researchers suggest this data provides a player-centric perspective on the ongoing debate surrounding AI in games.
Claude can now generate charts and diagrams
Anthropic has announced that its AI chatbot, Claude, can now generate charts and diagrams to better explain concepts. This new feature, available to all users in beta, utilizes HTML and XML vector graphics rather than traditional image generation. The update comes shortly after OpenAI introduced similar interactive visual capabilities for ChatGPT.
Morning Tech Bits
AMD has announced its next-generation AI-enhanced upscaling technology, 'FSR Diamond,' which is slated for future Xbox consoles. The article questions whether this new technology will also be made available for PC users.
AI Yi-Yi!
Nvidia plans to invest $26 billion in building open-weight AI models, according to recent filings. The article also touches on the concerning trend of teenagers using AI-powered 'slander pages' to mock their teachers.
Morning Legal Briefs
Grammarly is facing a class action lawsuit concerning its AI-powered 'Expert Review' feature. The lawsuit alleges issues with how the AI handles user data and its review capabilities.
Google built a flash-flood prediction tool using Gemini and old news reports
Google has developed Groundsource, a new AI-powered methodology utilizing its Gemini language model to predict flash floods. The system processes millions of global news reports to create a dataset of flood events, which is then used to train a model that forecasts flood likelihood based on current weather data. While it has limitations in precision and area coverage compared to some existing systems, it aims to assist areas lacking advanced weather-sensing infrastructure and has potential applications for predicting other natural phenomena.
Microsoft's Copilot Health can use AI to turn your fitness data and medical records 'into a coherent story'
Microsoft has launched Copilot Health, an AI-powered tool designed to interpret users' medical records, health history, and wearable fitness data. The tool aims to provide users with better context and insights to facilitate more informed conversations with their doctors. While initially free in the US, Microsoft plans to introduce a subscription model for the service.
The 15 Best Current Sci-Fi Movies and TV Shows
This article ranks and discusses 15 current science fiction movies and TV shows, highlighting their compelling stories that explore technology, identity, and the human condition. The list includes animated films, blockbuster franchises, and television epics, emphasizing both visual spectacle and emotional depth.
Game dev union members marched at GDC to propose a 'Game Workers' Bill of Rights'
Members of the United Videogame Workers of CWA union marched at the Game Developers Conference to propose a 'Game Workers' Bill of Rights.' The proposed bill includes protections against mandatory AI use, anti-crunch policies, and protections for immigrant workers. The union also announced a 'We don't play with ICE campaign' and an upcoming online Gamer Workers Conference.
