Ex-Activision employees have expressed apprehensions regarding the use of generative AI tools in game development, such as Midjourney

Reports indicate that Activision Blizzard has sanctioned the use of AI tools such as Midjourney and Stable Diffusion for creating concept art and promotional content.

This information comes from Wired's recent report, which accessed an internal document from Michael Vance, then chief technology officer at Activision. Although Vance stepped down from this position in January 2024, he continues to work with the company as a software engineer fellow.

A previous staff member revealed that Activision reassured its artists that AI technologies would be utilized solely for internal concept purposes and not for final game assets, emphasizing that AI would not replace human artists.

Unlike Activision, Blizzard is reportedly restraining its developers from using publicly available AI generators, opting instead to invest in its proprietary AI tools.

Reflecting on the workforce impact, a former Activision employee referenced the January Microsoft layoffs that affected 1,900 staff members in its gaming division, including numerous 2D artists at Activision. This ex-employee stated that the remaining artists had to incorporate AI into their workflow and undergo training for these tools.

The investigation also discovered that Riot is working on its own internal AI system. Wesley Kerr, head of tech research, mentioned the company is examining AI tools that could enhance player experiences in line with their principles. Kerr committed to transparency regarding their AI ambitions.

A consultative analysis by CVL Economics revealed that almost 90% of video game firms have employed generative AI during development phases. This includes applications for storyboards, character designs, and animations.

Many generative AI platforms, including Midjourney, extract artwork from the internet without the approval of the original creators. In an interview with Forbes last year, Midjourney's CEO David Holtz explained that the company does not obtain permission for copyrighted material due to the complexity of source identification.