Artificial Intelligence
Ongoing coverage on Artificial Intelligence.
Latest coverage
Krafton names chief AI officer to 'advance AI-driven game innovation'
Krafton has appointed Kangwook Lee as its first Chief AI Officer (CAIO) to lead the development of AI technologies aimed at enhancing gameplay and supporting development teams. Lee, formerly head of Krafton AI, will focus on integrating AI into gameplay, developer tools, and long-term research, emphasizing amplification of human creativity rather than replacement of workers. The company also revealed plans for its AI strategy to focus on elevating gameplay, supporting development teams, and exploring long-term research opportunities, including through its new entity Ludo Robotics.
Xbox's new head of gaming has "no tolerance for bad AI", following concerns about the proliferation of AI slop, and Sharma's tech background
Asha Sharma, the new head of Xbox, has stated she has 'no tolerance' for 'bad AI' despite her background in the field, emphasizing that 'great stories are created by humans.' Sharma, who replaces the retiring Phil Spencer, also addressed concerns about her lack of direct gaming industry experience, committing to delivering 'great games' and focusing on player and developer trust.
Elon Musk's Grok reportedly had an update delayed thanks to its lacklustre Baldur's Gate 3 knowledge
Elon Musk reportedly delayed an update for his AI chatbot Grok due to its insufficient knowledge of the game Baldur's Gate 3. Musk also prioritized Grok learning League of Legends, a game he enjoys. This comes amid reports of xAI's development and Musk's return to CEO roles at his tech companies.
Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma pledges "no bad AI" at Xbox
Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma has stated she has "no tolerance for bad AI" at Xbox, emphasizing that while AI is part of gaming, "great stories are created by humans." Sharma, who joined Microsoft in 2024, aims to build trust with players and developers, assuring that Xbox will not prioritize short-term efficiency or flood its ecosystem with AI-generated content. This comes as Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond are stepping down from their leadership roles at Xbox.
As AI threatens to make everything more expensive, are you happy if it takes longer for the next console generation to begin?
The increasing cost of AI technology may lead to higher prices for gaming hardware and potentially delay the next console generation. This article discusses whether a delayed start to new consoles, like the PlayStation 6 and next Xbox, would be beneficial given the current generation's perceived untapped potential and the rising cost of living. It also explores the possibility of a renaissance in retro gaming as a more affordable alternative.
Microsoft’s new gaming chief makes bold promises about AI in gaming
Microsoft has appointed Asha Sharma as the new CEO of Microsoft Gaming, succeeding Phil Spencer. Sharma, who previously led Microsoft's AI services, emphasized that while AI will play a larger role in game development and player experiences, games will remain 'crafted by humans.' This leadership change signals a potential shift towards integrating AI more deeply into the gaming ecosystem, though concerns about AI-generated content and its impact on creativity and jobs are already being discussed within the industry.
Phil Spencer to Retire as Microsoft Gaming CEO, Xbox President Sarah Bond Resigns — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer and Xbox President Sarah Bond are stepping down, with Asha Sharma appointed as the new CEO of Microsoft Gaming. Satya Nadella's internal email highlights Sharma's experience in scaling services and platforms, and Matt Booty will serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer, emphasizing a focus on great games and the future of play with AI integration.
Microsoft gaming head Phil Spencer is retiring, replaced by an AI exec who promises no "soulless AI slop"
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer is retiring, with Asha Sharma, formerly president of Microsoft's CoreAI product, set to take over. Xbox president Sarah Bond has also resigned as part of this leadership transition. Sharma has outlined a vision focused on great games, a multiplatform 'return of Xbox,' and innovative business models, emphasizing human-crafted experiences over 'soulless AI slop'.
Phil Spencer retiring from Xbox, will be replaced by CoreAI boss
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer is retiring after 38 years with the company, with CoreAI president Asha Sharma set to take over his role. Sarah Bond is also resigning, while Matt Booty has been promoted to chief content officer. Sharma emphasized a commitment to "great games" and "the future of play," vowing to avoid "soulless AI slop" and focus on human-crafted experiences.
Tiktok refuses to axe racist AI-generated ads for Finji games
Developer and publisher Finji is facing a situation where TikTok is refusing to remove racist and sexist AI-generated advertisements for its games, despite the company not producing them. CEO Bekah Saltsman reported that TikTok's customer support acknowledged the issue but ultimately refused to take action, leading Finji to cease advertising on the platform.
A decade of gaming hardware stagnation? That might not be a bad thing | Opinion
Component shortages driven by AI data center demand are impacting gaming hardware, potentially leading to stagnation in console and PC upgrades for years. While frustrating, this pause might be welcome for consumers experiencing diminishing returns on hardware advancements and facing price hikes. The industry faces a future with potentially unchanged mainstream gaming hardware specifications by the end of the decade, with consumers likely less bothered by a lack of upgrades than by increased prices.
Jake Solomon-led Midsummer Studios shuts down
Midsummer Studios, founded by Firaxis Games veteran Jake Solomon, has ceased operations after two years. The studio, which raised $6 million in funding, was developing a life simulation game called Burbank. Solomon shared footage of the game, noting its use of AI for character writing and voice acting, while emphasizing that all art was created by human artists.
"Climate change isn’t about AI itself, it's about progress" - 11 Bit talk Frostpunk: 1886 and questions of scale
11 bit studios game director Maciej Sułecki discusses Frostpunk: 1886, a remake plus plus of the original Frostpunk, and the studio's approach to scale and player empathy across their games. He also touches on the use of AI in development and the broader implications of progress and climate change, drawing parallels to the themes explored in the Frostpunk series.
Former Firaxis Games creative director announces closure of Midsummer Studios
Midsummer Studios, co-founded by former XCOM designer Jake Solomon, is closing its doors. Solomon announced the closure and shared pre-alpha footage of the studio's unreleased game, Burbank. He also clarified that while AI was used for character performances, all art was created by human artists.
Why Do Game Console Prices Keep Going Up?
The ongoing global chip shortage, exacerbated by the massive demand for AI data centers, is driving up prices for gaming consoles and PC components. This situation is leading to longer console generations, potential consolidation in the PC building market, and a shift towards cloud gaming as a more accessible option for consumers. While the shortage presents challenges, it could also lead to developers focusing more on optimizing games for existing hardware, potentially resulting in better-designed and more accessible gaming experiences in the long run.
Todd Howard says Bethesda isn't 'fully ignoring' AI
Bethesda game director Todd Howard stated that the studio is cautiously exploring artificial intelligence as a tool for data analysis and long-term player insights, rather than for content generation. He emphasized the importance of artistic intention and human creativity in game development. This approach aligns with Xbox's broader exploration of AI features, though other studios under the Xbox umbrella have had varied experiences with AI implementation and mandates.
No Azure for Apartheid call on Microsoft to cut ties with ICE, amid reports of agency deepening reliance on company's cloud and AI
The activist group No Azure for Apartheid is calling on Microsoft to sever ties with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), citing reports of the agency increasing its reliance on Microsoft's Azure cloud and AI technologies. The group alleges that this technology powers ICE's actions against migrants, drawing parallels to its use in other controversial contexts. Microsoft has stated its policies prohibit the use of its technology for mass surveillance of civilians.
Sony’s PlayStation 6 might be further away than expected
Reports suggest Sony's PlayStation 6 launch could be delayed to 2028 or 2029, deviating from the traditional seven-year console cycle. This potential delay is attributed to the high demand for DRAM components driven by the artificial intelligence industry, which is creating scarcity and driving up costs for consumer electronics. The extended lifecycle for the PlayStation 5 may allow developers more time to create games for the current generation.
Google Adds Custom Music Generation to Gemini with New Lyria 3 Model
Google has integrated Lyria 3, a new generative music model, into its Gemini app, allowing users to create 30-second songs with lyrics, vocals, and cover art from text prompts, photos, or videos. This feature aims to make music creation casual and is also being added to YouTube Shorts' Dream Track feature. Google emphasizes that Lyria 3 is designed for original expression and includes AI watermarking via SynthID to identify generated content.
Football commentator permits EA to use an AI version of his voice for EA Sports FC
Football commentator Guy Mowbray has granted Electronic Arts permission to use an AI version of his voice for EA Sports FC, allowing the company to generate player names. While EA emphasizes this is a collaboration with talent, not a replacement, the article also notes other voice actors' concerns about AI voice replication without consent, citing examples from Tomb Raider and Apex Legends.
