John Romero
What AI Can, Can’t, and Shouldn’t do for Games
#1about 2 minutes
Defining generative AI and its impact on technology
Generative AI is the most significant technological change since the internet, designed to create new content like text and images.
#2about 4 minutes
How game development studios are adopting generative AI
A GDC survey reveals that nearly half of game studios use generative AI, though many AAA studios prohibit it due to ethical concerns.
#3about 7 minutes
Exploring traditional AI techniques used in classic games
Games have long used custom-built AI like pathfinding, state machines, and behavior trees to create dynamic NPC and enemy behaviors.
#4about 6 minutes
Why AI struggles with true creative innovation
AI is inherently derivative and cannot replicate the unique combination of people, timing, and vision that leads to groundbreaking games like Doom.
#5about 2 minutes
Navigating the legal and ethical risks of AI
Using generative AI for creative work introduces significant copyright and intellectual property risks because AI-generated art is not human-authored.
#6about 1 minute
The future of AI as a powerful creative tool
AI will be an exceptional tool for processing data and augmenting work, but human creativity will remain essential for creating the next generation of hit games.
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