Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki anticipates that the proliferation of artificial intelligence in creative industries will ultimately increase humanity's desire for human-made art. Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, Totoki posited that while AI can serve as a tool to enhance creativity, the core human element is what draws audiences to films, music, and video games. "AI cannot replace it. AI can enhance human creativity," Totoki stated. "It is really up to us. We take advantage of AI, or we face a threat from AI."
This perspective aligns with a broader sentiment among some prominent figures in the gaming sphere. For instance, Nobuo Uematsu, the celebrated composer for the Final Fantasy series, has expressed a lack of interest in generative AI for creating new game music, even while acknowledging its potential for aiding transitions between musical pieces. "I think it still feels more rewarding to go through the hardships of creating something myself," Uematsu commented. Similarly, veteran voice actor Troy Baker has argued that AI, while capable of generating content, "cannot create art" due to its absence of lived human experiences from which to draw.
Games that intentionally highlight human craftsmanship and imperfections, such as Mecha Chameleon, are seen by some as a counterpoint to AI-generated content. Despite these reservations, the adoption of generative AI appears to be on the rise in some regions. A survey conducted by the organization behind the Tokyo Game Show indicated that over half of Japanese game developers are incorporating AI into their production processes. However, a separate survey from the Game Developers Conference (GDC) revealed that 50% of participating developers believe generative AI is detrimental to the video game industry.
When game studios have disclosed their use of AI, it has frequently met with negative reactions from the public. Crystal Dynamics, the developer of Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, clarified that while character designs, including for Lara Croft, are entirely human-crafted, AI is utilized for initial concept art and placeholder assets. Sony also noted its use of machine-learning algorithms in the development of Marvel's Spider-Man 2, primarily as part of experimental processes aimed at accelerating game production.