AI: The Game-Changer for PlayStation, but the Human Element Remains Essential

PlayStation co-CEO Hermen Hulst has shared his thoughts on the influence of artificial intelligence in game development, stating that while the technology has the potential to “transform” the gaming industry, it cannot fully replace the “human element.”

In an interview with the BBC to celebrate PlayStation’s Thirtieth anniversary, Hulst recognized that even though AI technology is reshaping game creation, human developers will always have a vital role. “I anticipate there will be a dual demand in gaming,” he remarked. “One for AI-powered innovative experiences and another for carefully crafted, thoughtful content… Achieving the right equilibrium between utilizing AI and maintaining the human element will be essential.”

This is not the first time PlayStation experts have addressed the issue of AI. PlayStation Studios’ head of product Asad Qizilbash previously asserted that the technology “will foster more personalized experiences and meaningful narratives for consumers”, emphasizing, “This is crucial for the younger Gen Z and Gen Alpha demographics, who are the first generations to have grown up in a digital environment and seek personalization in everything, as well as desiring experiences to hold greater significance.”

Discussions surrounding AI have, however, become increasingly prevalent in recent years, as advancements capture headlines and executives—from Microsoft to Embracer Group—contemplate the technology to excite investors. Earlier this year, for instance, EA CEO Andrew Wilson informed investors that AI was at “the very core of our business,” adding that the company maintained over a hundred “active new AI projects” to assist in game development.

Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa also recently acknowledged that “game development and AI technology have always had a close bond” and that generative AI would be “utilized in creative manners.” Nevertheless, he asserted that the company’s “decades of expertise” was more significant than AI when it came to “crafting the finest gaming experiences for our players.”

Earlier this year, a report by game engine developer Unity indicated that 62 percent of studios have employed AI at some point during game development, with 71 percent asserting AI has enhanced their production and operations, leading to improved efficiency.