Electronic Arts' president of enterprise development, Laura Miele, has expressed optimism regarding the role of artificial intelligence in game development. She believes that AI can significantly boost creativity within EA's studios by automating repetitive tasks and streamlining the overall development process.
Miele shared these insights during a Game Business Live showcase at Summer Game Fest. When questioned about the potential for AI to shorten development cycles, she acknowledged that it might lead to shorter timelines in some areas. Her primary focus, however, is on how AI can assist developers by removing friction from their workflows and tools. "I've always wanted to help our studio developers remove friction and I've always kind of wanted to be a hero to them and help them create career-defining experiences," Miele stated.
She elaborated that AI has proven effective in removing tedium from development tasks, which she has observed firsthand. This has resulted in faster prototyping, increased creative output, and more efficient discussions surrounding creative concepts. "So, we're seeing it and I think there's a real rise of creativity that comes from removing some of the tedious tasks out of development," Miele added.
While the specific types of AI tools being utilized were not detailed, EA has previously signaled its embrace of generative AI. In 2024, CEO Andrew Wilson indicated that approximately 60% of the company's development processes could be positively impacted by generative AI. The company is also reportedly looking to AI to help reduce operating costs, especially in the wake of its substantial acquisition financed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
Conversely, some employees have expressed concerns that the push for AI integration is being used to justify recent layoffs across various EA studios, including BioWare, Respawn, and the now-closed Cliffhanger Games. Hundreds of employees have reportedly been let go since the September 2025 investment announcement, with further unconfirmed reductions occurring recently.