July 25th 2024.
Artificial intelligence has been making waves in various industries, but its impact on the gaming world has caused some concern among professionals in the field. The rise of AI technology has led to the creation of images, such as 2D animations, which are crucial elements in video game development. This has caused worry among game developers as their careers largely depend on their ability to produce visually stunning games. With the introduction of OpenAI's image generator, DALL-E, and Vizcom, many are facing potential layoffs, leading to a recent investigation into the direct impact on those who have built their careers in the gaming industry.
In the spring of 2023, an email from Activision's chief technology officer, Michael Vance, revealed that AI was a top priority at the video game publisher. Although the systems were still in the testing phase, experts within the company saw great potential in utilizing AI technology. This news brought about a sense of anxiety among artists, including Molly Warner, an environment artist who worked on the popular game Overwatch at Blizzard Entertainment, Activision's sister company. She expressed her concerns, stating that many artists in the industry are strongly against the use of AI-generated images.
During a company-wide meeting in May 2023, former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick shared his thoughts on the use of generative AI in the gaming industry. He acknowledged that while AI technology could have both positive and negative effects on individuals working in the field, he had personally known the people behind OpenAI for a long time and was aware of their work in creating AI that could beat games like Warcraft, Dota, Starcraft, Go, and Chess. Kotick also shared his belief in the significant impact of AI on society, both positive and negative, similar to the feeling he had when he saw the first Macintosh.
Although there is no direct evidence linking job loss to the adoption of AI, there have been reports of 1,900 jobs being cut from Activision's gaming division just a month after Microsoft acquired the company in October 2023. Additionally, a study by CVL Economics showed that the gaming industry is leading in AI uptake compared to other creative industries such as film and television, and music. Approximately 86.7% of gaming jobs reported using generative AI tools, and 13.4% of those jobs are expected to be disrupted by AI by 2026.
The fear of losing their jobs to AI has become a reality for many game developers. One Reddit user shared their experience of being laid off from a company they loved due to AI taking over their job, which felt like a scene from a dystopian novel. In 2023 alone, the gaming industry saw approximately 10,500 people lose their jobs in game development positions.
As technology continues to advance, it is essential to consider its impact on various industries, including gaming. As April Walker, a technology and enterprise expert, stated in a Q2 chat about AI and the future, it is crucial to have open discussions about the potential effects of AI and how it can be used for the betterment of society. The gaming industry, in particular, must find ways to embrace AI while also ensuring job security for its professionals.
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