AI in Gaming: PlayStation CEO Sees Benefits, But Humans Remain Crucial

PlayStation co-CEO Hermen Hulst recently shared his perspective on the role of AI in gaming, emphasizing its revolutionary potential while firmly asserting the irreplaceable value of human creativity. Read on to learn more about his insights and PlayStation's future plans after 30 years of innovation.

AI: Revolutionizing Gaming, Not Replacing Humans

A Dual Demand in the Gaming Landscape

Sony Interactive Entertainment co-CEO, Hermen Hulst, acknowledges AI's transformative power in gaming, stating in a BBC interview that it can "revolutionize" the industry. However, he stresses that AI will never fully replicate the unique "human touch" essential to compelling game design.

Sony and PlayStation, celebrating 30 years since the launch of the original PlayStation in 1994, have witnessed firsthand the industry's evolution. The rise of artificial intelligence is one of the most significant technological advancements shaping the future of gaming.

Concerns exist within the game development community regarding AI's impact on jobs. While AI streamlines mundane tasks, boosting efficiency, fears remain about its potential encroachment on the creative process, leading to job displacement. This concern is highlighted by recent strikes among American voice actors, protesting the use of generative AI as a cost-cutting measure to replace human talent—a trend particularly noticeable within the Genshin Impact community due to a perceived reduction in English voice-over content in recent updates.

A CIST market research survey reveals that nearly two-thirds of game development studios already utilize AI to optimize workflows. The survey indicates that "62% of the studios we surveyed said they used AI in their workflows, mainly to prototype quickly and for concepting, asset creation, and worldbuilding."

Hulst emphasizes the importance of finding a balance: “Striking the right balance between leveraging AI and preserving the human touch will be crucial,” he said. “I suspect there will be a dual demand in gaming: one for AI-driven innovative experiences and another for handcrafted, thoughtful content.”

PlayStation is actively engaged in AI research and development, including a dedicated Sony AI department established in 2022. Beyond gaming, the company is exploring multimedia expansion, adapting its game IPs into films and TV series, citing the ongoing development of the God of War Amazon Prime show as an example. Hulst stated, “I am hoping to raise the PlayStation IP outside of just the gaming category and elevate it so it sits comfortably within the larger entertainment industry.”

This expansion strategy fuels speculation surrounding Sony's rumored interest in acquiring Kadokawa Corporation, a Japanese multimedia giant with a vast portfolio ranging from books to anime. However, details remain undisclosed.

PlayStation 3: A Lesson in Ambition

In commemoration of PlayStation's 30th anniversary, former PlayStation chief Shawn Layden reflected on his career, sharing insights into the company's journey. He described the PlayStation 3 (PS3) era as an "Icarus moment," explaining, “We flew too close to the sun, and we were lucky and happy to have survived.” The team's ambitious vision for the PS3, encompassing features beyond core gaming, proved overly complex and costly for the time.

Layden highlighted the subsequent shift in focus: “PS3 got us back to first principles…We also learned that the center of the machine has to be gaming…When PS4 came out, it set us against what Xbox was trying to do. [They wanted to] build more of a multimedia experience, and we just wanted to build a kick ass game machine.” This refocusing on core gaming proved pivotal to the PS4's success.