- Sony CEO Hideaki Nishino commits to using AI for PlayStation game development
- Nishino intends to use AI to improve game development and “unleash the creativity of our studios”
- This comes amid controversy surrounding AI’s impact on the gaming market and its use in Nvidia’s DLSS 5.
AI is causing significant problems in the PC and gaming console markets, with extremely high prices and RAM shortages. Now there’s another reason why players should be concerned about its presence in games.
As reported by VGC, Sony CEO Hideaki Nishino recently outlined a new plan that includes using AI on PlayStation to improve productivity in game development.
This comes amid an AI controversy that is not only driving up prices across the board due to increased memory demand, but also through Nvidia’s DLSS 5 (scheduled for late 2026), which many have likened to a generative AI filter for gaming.
The introduction of DLSS 5 has already been a worrying sign of what game development could eventually become, and it’s not even here yet – and while it’s optional for gamers, many developers have already supported the tool and plan to use it once it becomes available.
This is exactly what makes Nishino’s commitment to using AI concerning, as he stated: “At PlayStation, our goal is always to be the best place to play and the best to publish. We see AI as a powerful tool to help us in that mission.”
This latest statement effectively mimics what has been said about DLSS 5 by Nvidia itself and some game developers and publishers, suggesting that AI will only be used as a “tool” and not as a centerpiece of games, but it’s not that simple.
Nisihino went on to say, “The vision, design, and emotional impact of our games will always come from the talent of our studios and performers. AI is intended to augment their capabilities, not replace them,” further insinuating that AI will be strictly used for game development.
“We believe AI will unleash the creativity of our studios, power a better-curated platform, and improve the PlayStation experience for players and creators.”
On paper, PlayStation’s commitment to maintaining the use of AI strictly within game development without replacing human artists isn’t necessarily bad (nor is it a popular decision), but it’s what it could eventually lead to that is of great concern.
With DLSS 5, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told gamers that they were “completely wrong” about DLSS 5 being generative AI in games, as it was “content-driven generative AI.” However, these have been seen as buzzwords to prevent players from seeing DLSS 5 for what it actually is, as it clearly changes character and environment details, moving away from the artist’s design choices.
PlayStation doesn’t have a case equivalent to DLSS 5 (thankfully), but the very presence of AI in game development for the company means there’s a chance its use will spread even further, perhaps with AI-generation assets appearing in games.
It’s not a stretch to suggest that the latter could happen when Activision actively uses AI in its business. Call of Duty games, which was not well received by players. The only hope left is that consumer backlash keeps PlayStation and its first-party studios at bay, and if DLSS 5 is to be believed, that’s a decent start.
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