84% Of Developers Are Concerned About The Ethics Of Using Generative AI Tools In Development

AI and its uses good or bad have been making headlines across the tech industry for more than a year now, including in the games industry.

Like it or not, AI is clearly here to stay in the modern world, and will also likely be a big part of its future. That’s the case with games too, but developers (rightly) have their concerns.

In GDC’s State Of The Game Industry 2024 report, surveys revealed that 84% of developers are either somewhat or extremely concerned with the ethics of using generative AI tools in the game development process.

“When it comes to how Generative AI will impact the game industry as a whole, game makers appear to be mixed. Those working in business, marketing, and programming were more likely to say the technology would have a positive impact while those in narrative, visual arts, and quality assurance were more likely to say the impact would be negative.

Even though many developers seem to be uncertain about the industry impact of Generative AI, they are quite certain about the ethical impact.

A large majority (84%) of developers indicated they were somewhat or very concerned about the ethics of using Generative AI, while only 12% stated they had no concerns.”

The full survey also revealed that almost half of all developers questioned either already use generative AI tools themselves, or admitted that their studio uses generative AI tools.

While generative AI tools continue to creep into development, for now, players are more than happy to bemoan its use and call it out when they see it.

It makes you wonder what the reaction will be the day the news breaks that a game being wildly praised by players was largely built with the help of generative AI tools, and no one had previously noticed.

Source – [GDC]