Games Workshop has confirmed it investigated "a few human errors" in its product imagery to ensure its staff had not inadvertently used artificial intelligence. The company issued a formal denial of AI use last month after fans pointed out a Space Marine with an apparent sixth finger in official artwork for the Warhammer: The Horus Heresy tabletop game.
The artwork, published on the Warhammer Community website, depicted units of Space Marines. A close examination of the figure at the forefront revealed an extra finger, leading to accusations of AI generation within the fanbase, which largely opposes AI art in official capacities.
Games Workshop acknowledged the anomaly, stating that the extra finger resulted from an artist "blending miniature photography with art to create a dramatic scene," a process that unintentionally added the digit. The company emphasized that the artwork was entirely human-made.
This incident occurred months after Games Workshop officially banned the use of AI in its content production and design processes in January. The company also stated that its senior management was not enthusiastic about the technology at that time.
In its latest financial report, Games Workshop reiterated its anti-AI stance and revealed that it had investigated marketing "gaffes" to confirm staff adherence to internal policies. "We are not using AI at Games Workshop in our product design nor on the creation of our IP, this will protect the integrity and ownership of our IP," stated Games Workshop CEO Kevin Rountree. "We have made a few human errors on the depiction of our products in our product marketing in the year, they were investigated fully to ensure that AI had not been used and that all our staff are following our internal policies." Rountree also noted that AI is now integrated into third-party software, making it challenging to guarantee its complete absence outside of Games Workshop's internal studios. This is a factor the company "will have to potentially live with and monitor." The scrutiny on Games Workshop highlights a broader trend across entertainment industries where AI tools are increasingly pressured for productivity gains. The company's firm anti-AI position contrasts with many other entertainment firms and places it under particular observation due to its reputation for distinctive, human-created artwork and a lore that itself explores the perils of artificial intelligence.