- Sony CEO, Hideaki Nishino, shows commitment 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 the controversy behind AI’s impact on the gaming market, and its use in Nvidia’s DLSS 5
AI is causing significant issues within the PC and game console markets, with exceedingly high RAM prices and shortages — and now, there’s another reason gamers should be worried about its presence in gaming.
As reported by VGC, Sony‘s CEO, Hideaki Nishino, recently highlighted a new plan that includes using AI on PlayStation to improve productivity in game development.
This comes amid controversy over AI not only driving prices up across the board due to increased memory demand, but also through Nvidia’s DLSS 5 (planned for late 2026), which many have likened to a generative AI filter for games.
DLSS 5’s introduction has already served as a worrying sign of what game development may eventually become, and it’s not even here yet — and while it will be optional for players, many developers have already backed the tool and plan to utilize it once available.
That’s exactly what makes Nishino’s pledge to use 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 this mission.”
The latter statement effectively mimics what was 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 a centerpiece of games, but it’s not that simple.
Nisihino continued saying: “The vision, the design, and the emotional impact of our games will always come from the talent of our studios and performers. AI is meant to augment their abilities, not replace them,” further insinuating AI will be strictly used for game development.
“We believe AI will unleash the creativity of our studios, power a more curated platform, and enhance the PlayStation experience for both players and creators.”
On paper, PlayStation’s commitment to keeping AI use strictly within game development without replacing human artists isn’t necessarily bad (not a popular move either), but it’s what it could eventually lead to that’s very concerning.
With DLSS 5, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told gamers they were ‘completely wrong’ about DLSS 5 being generative AI in games, as it was ‘content-controlled generative AI’. However, those were seen as buzzwords to stop gamers from seeing DLSS 5 for what it actually is, as it clearly changes character and environmental details, straying from the artist’s design choices.
PlayStation doesn’t have a DLSS 5 equivalent case (thankfully), but AI’s very presence in game development for the company to begin with means there’s a chance its use could spread even further, perhaps with gen AI assets showing up in games.
It’s not much of a stretch to suggest the latter could happen when Activision is actively using AI in its Call of Duty games, which hasn’t gone down well with players. The only hope that remains is that backlash from consumers keeps PlayStation and its first-party studios at bay, and if DLSS 5 is anything to go by, it’s a decent start.
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