There’s been a lot of talk about AI over the past two years, some have been positive, others have been vehemently against such technology. This is to be expected in a climate where any new changes can and will effect the livelihoods of those in an already ever-shifting marketplace. What is unusually disturbing about this scenario is the active embrace of such technology via corporate overlords across the board, so blatantly in front of their creative hires.

Soulless suits throwing their employees under the bus is nothing new. What is new, however, is the brazen transparency in which they are utilizing said technology in the many announcements from entertainment companies. Just today Disney announced the creation of their task force to explore AI for cost cutting. For those not in the know, Disney has been in hot water with investors over multitude of losses in the past previous years with films ranging from mid to not-doing-so-well*.

Disney’s not alone in seeing dollar signs with AI. Wizards of the Coast who was rumored earlier this year to incorporate AI technology for a possible AI DM role in their DnD Beyond subscription model (as of this date there is no confirmed information from WOTC). While WOTC has not outright admitted to using said feature in its future installment to DnD, with one glance at their staff, their customers and followers on social media it’s easy to tell why said announcement would be ill-advised. To the left you have artists and writers who believe this technology will be used to replace them, many have stated that the very AI that’s threatened their careers uses unethical methods in order to learn. To the right, you have customers who would rather not have an AI DM in lieu of a human dungeon master and believe that it would create a lesser experience.

Both views are correct. It’s strange that in an era of divisiveness that two parties can agree on one thing: AI for storytelling is a terrible idea. AI as anything but a tool will never supersede a well crafted story written by a veteran of the craft. But this is a capitalistic market where the customer’s dollar is law. Dollars will decide which direction is viable. It will be interesting to see how fantasy worlds created using this method will be received by the general audience.

Let’s hope the dollar chooses wisely.

Update: Almost forgot that WOTC had a funny mishap the other day in overlooking an artist who confirmed AI art was used in their latest sourcebook. Big oof, yikes, and chuckle from me, but nothing out of the ordinary for Lizards of the Bloat.

*Glossary

Not-doing-so-well – Yin Speak for “this was trash but let’s be polite”