PlayStation boss says AI will ‘revolutionize’ gaming, but must be balanced with ‘human touch’

PlayStation co-CEO Hermen Hulst has weighed in on the role of artificial intelligence in game development, saying that while the technology has the ability to “revolutionize” the industry, it will not replace the “human touch.”

Speaking to the BBC to mark PlayStation’s 30th anniversary, Hulst acknowledged that while AI technology is changing game development, human developers will always have a role to play. “I suspect there will be a double demand in the games,” he suggested. “One for innovative AI-powered experiences and another for thoughtful, hand-crafted content… Striking the right balance between leveraging AI and preserving the human touch will be crucial.”

This isn’t the first time PlayStation executives have broached the topic of AI. PlayStation Studios head of product Asad Qizilbash previously insisted the technology will “create more personalized experiences and meaningful stories for consumers”, adding: “This is important for younger Gen Z and Gen Alpha audiences. , who are the first generations that grew up digitally”. and we look for personalization in everything, in addition to looking for experiences that have more meaning.

Rumors about AI, of course, have become increasingly pronounced in recent years as advances make headlines and executives – from Microsoft to Embracer Group – talk about the technology to excite investors. Earlier this year, for example, EA CEO Andrew Wilson told investors that AI was “at the very core of our business,” adding that the company had more than a hundred “active novel AI projects.” ” to help with game development.

Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa also recently acknowledged that “game development and AI technology have always had a close relationship” and that generative AI could be “used creatively.” However, he insisted that the company’s “decades of knowledge” were more valuable than AI when it came to “creating the best gaming experiences for our players.”

Previously, a report from game engine maker Unity stated that 62 percent of studios have used AI at some point during game development, and 71 percent said AI had improved their delivery and operations, reducing the release time. But the technology remains highly controversial, from the sources it uses to the purposes for which it is used. In March, for example, several Baldur’s Gate 3 actors shared their thoughts on the darker side of success fueled by AI voice cloning.

And if you’re curious to know more, Eurogamer’s Ed Nightingale took a closer look at the current and future role of AI in game development in May.